It has finally happened, folks. The Menu button is officially dead. The Android team at Google just announced that Android no longer requires a dedicated Menu button. Of course, that doesn’t mean that some OEMs won’t try to stick it on their devices. But for all Google cares, the dedicated Menu button is a [...]]]>

It has finally happened, folks. The Menu button is officially dead. The Android team at Google just announced that Android no longer requires a dedicated Menu button. Of course, that doesn’t mean that some OEMs won’t try to stick it on their devices. But for all Google cares, the dedicated Menu button is a thing of the past. And in just a few months, all Google-approved Android devices will launch without it.

As some of you know, this plan to kill the Menu button was set in motion more than a year ago. It all started with the release of Honeycomb, which got rid of the Menu button on tablets — and most hardware buttons for that matter. However, it was unclear at the time if the same design would carry over to phones. Then the first Nexus 3 rumors started to arrive, and one thing in particular kept popping up: “No hardware buttons.”

After the release of Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus, it was quite clear that Google was trying its best to simplify the Android user experience. At the same time, Google introduced a new UI element called the Action Bar, which the company calls the “the most important structural element of an Android app.” The Action Bar — and its overflow button — replace the Menu button while providing a consistent look and experience across all Android apps. That is, if developers start using it.

That’s where today’s announcement comes is. Google is urging app developers to stop using the Menu button and adopt the Action Bar instead. The company provided some clear instructions on how to do this easily, and even reminded them about the existence of its Android Design website. There’s absolutely no doubt that Google wants all Android apps to adopt this new UI design — and fast.

Of course, there are some of you who won’t be happy about the Menu button passing away. Sadly, there’s nothing I can say to ease your pain. Google has made a crucial decision to simplify and unify the Android UI, and that means that the Menu button has to go — and take the Search button with it. As for developers, better get started on that Action Bar, pronto.

The Google/Samsung event has just resumed, and the last bit of news was directed to our beloved developers. Those who are excited to start using their newly announced Samsung Galaxy Nexus devices (when they get them) will probably want apps to be completely optimized for the new operating system. Google has just released [...]]]>

The Google/Samsung event has just resumed, and the last bit of news was directed to our beloved developers. Those who are excited to start using their newly announced Samsung Galaxy Nexus devices (when they get them) will probably want apps to be completely optimized for the new operating system. Google has just released the SDK, so all developers can start taking advantage of those awesome new features.

One of the most important functions of Ice Cream Sandwich is that it unites phones and tablets of all sizes. Developers now have a unified platform, so it will be easier for them to make a good product across all form-factors. And, of course, it’s more user-friendly for the consumer.

The SDK is available straight from the Android Developers site, which you can find by clicking here. Once new apps start getting built from the ground up with Android 4.0′s features, things should start getting pretty fancy. As always, we’re interested in what our readers want. And, in this case, what the developers in our audience are planning.

What can you guys recommend to our beloved developer community? What apps and which features would you like to see optimized for this OS? If you happen to be a developer, would you mind giving us a preview/explanation of what might be coming in your apps?

Image via guidetotheappgalaxy.com

Early this year Sony Computer Entertainment announced the PlayStation Suite program which was designed to deliver the world of PlayStation to Android based portable devices. So far we have seen three PlayStation Certified devices (Xperia Play, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet P) and that number should continue to increase now that Sony has announced [...]]]>

Early this year Sony Computer Entertainment announced the PlayStation Suite program which was designed to deliver the world of PlayStation to Android based portable devices. So far we have seen three PlayStation Certified devices (Xperia Play, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet P) and that number should continue to increase now that Sony has announced their PlayStation Suite software development kit (SDK).

Through the PS Suite SDK, developers will be able to create games and content for PlayStation Certified devices and the upcoming PS Vita handheld system. By supporting development for multiple Android devices and PS Vita, developers will be able to save money and “efficiently create their content on one SDK and without having to create on several different SDKs.”

Detailed information about the PS Suite SDK and the download link will be announced soon at a dedicated PS Suite section on Sony’s official website.

This news might not have an immediate impact on Android users, but we should see more PlayStation titles (including some PS Vita games) coming to Android devices next year.

The early PS Vita games that have been previewed so far look amazing and they should run with no problems on the next generation of Android hardware. Sony’s PS Vita features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, which is similar to NVIDIA’s upcoming Kal-El (Tegra 3). Since both of the Sony tablets utilized the Tegra 2 processor, I think it’s safe to assume we will see Tegra 3 inside several future PlayStation Certified devices.

Also announced was the addition of original PlayStation games coming to the PlayStation Store on PS Certified devices by the end of October. NVIDIA previously let it slip that PSOne classics like Wild Arms, Cool Boarders 2, Syphon Filter, and more were headed to Tegra devices this year. This service will start in nine countries including Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia with more countries to follow.

Which PlayStation titles (past, present, or future) would you like to play on your Android device?

If you think some of Android’s third-party apps [...]]]> Google showed off a new version of the Android Development Tools at I/O, but the company wasn’t ready to release it just yet. Well, they are now. Google just announced on its Android blog that the new ADT is all set to be enjoyed by developers.

If you think some of Android’s third-party apps look a little unpolished, you’ll be happy to know that this new version of the ADT focuses mostly on the Visual Layout Editor, with more than 20 features aimed specifically at making it easier for developers to design their apps. With new features like “Extract Style” and “Extract Include,” making your Android app look good is now easier than ever. There are many more features in this update, and you can see a list of them all right here.

Hopefully, this new version of the ADT will give Android apps a much-needed improvement in the UI department. Having said that, it is up to the developers to take advantage of these new tools–which we hope they will. After downloading the new ADT, you should watch the hour-long Google I/O session (embedded below) in which Android engineers show everything that’s new in this ADT.