The Google Home app, released in May, has raised the bar for Android app development by demonstrating seamless adaptability to screens of various sizes. As the market continues to introduce new screen dimensions, the Google Home app serves as an exemplary model for all Android apps to follow.
On smartphones, the Home app presents a top bar featuring options to switch homes, accounts, and access “Inbox” notifications. Below this, users can find shortcuts for camera, lighting, climate, and Wi-Fi controls, followed by a customizable list of favorites. The tabbed interface includes a bottom bar, providing access to the complete list of devices, automation, and more. Additionally, a media player is available at the bottom for Home-integrated devices playing videos or music.
While the user interface (UI) functions effectively on standard phone displays, its impressive feature lies in its adaptability. Transitioning to larger screens, such as the Pixel Fold’s inner display, the Home app adjusts by placing tabs on the left side, increasing the size of shortcuts on the “Favorites” and “Devices” tabs, and shifting the media player to the right side. Accessing the camera or lighting tabs introduces a second sidebar for easy category switching, and a fullscreen option is available for the page. This efficient utilization of space demonstrates exceptional design.
The same UI layout is preserved on the Pixel Tablet, which offers an even larger display. Capitalizing on the additional space, the Google Home app intelligently condenses the device buttons while displaying more rows, allowing users to view and control a greater number of elements simultaneously.
The app seamlessly adapts to these various screen sizes, optimizing the available space without compromising the original design or leaving users disoriented. Core elements of the app are merely relocated, maintaining familiarity throughout.
Moreover, the new Google Home app surprisingly functions exceptionally well on the Motorola Razr+’s outer display, measuring a mere 3.6 inches. While many apps struggle to adapt to such a small screen, the Home app employs a sidebar interface similar to that of tablets but optimized for usability on this diminutive display.
Although unintentional on Google’s part, this exemplifies effective design. Leveraging the tools provided by Android, the Home app demonstrates flawless adaptability to any screen it is tasked to run on. This accomplishment should serve as a guiding example for developers as Android expands to accommodate an array of screen sizes and form factors. If a complex smart home app like this can achieve such adaptability, any app can and should strive for the same.