Android Dashboard Pattern

Android Dashboard Pattern

The best example you can use is from the Google I/O 2011 Android App. They implement all those design patterns in their app. You can find the code at the following link:

http://code.google.com/p/iosched/source/browse/android/res/layout/fragment_dashboard.xml?r=27a82ff10b436da5914a3961df245ff8f66b6252

The 2011 version uses a custom layout called 'DashboardLayout' in a fragment which gets shared in phone and tablet specific layouts. The logic in DashboardLayout is responsible for all the auto layout magic!

dashboard layout pattern

I've written a short blog post about dashboard implementation that you might (hopefully) find helpful. You will find ready code from here too:
http://www.androiduipatterns.com/2011/01/implementing-dashboard-and-action-bar.html

dashboard layout pattern

I've written a short blog post about dashboard implementation that you might (hopefully) find helpful. You will find ready code from here too:
http://www.androiduipatterns.com/2011/01/implementing-dashboard-and-action-bar.html

Android: When is it appropriate to use the dashboard pattern?

It is not possible to provide a definitive answer for this, as it is all based on personal opinion.

I never much liked the dashboard pattern. To quote Juhani Lehtimäki:

The major criticism towards use of dashboards has been that it slows users down on their way to the app's content. Every time you launch the app you must first tap an icon to get where you want... There might still be use for the dashboard but use for it will be much more limited. In rare cases it might be impossible to select any of the app's screen as the landing screen. In those cases a dashboard might still be a good option. Also, massively complex apps might make it easier for first time users to get hang of the app by presenting a non-intimidating dashboard instead of an overwhelming screen when they first start the app.

I generally agree with his assessment. The quoted passages come from a post espousing a new pattern, of a side-sliding navigation panel -- while this is certainly possible, it is a bit too new for beginner developers in Android IMHO. However, a well-designed action bar can provide similar navigation between major areas of the app without having to route everyone through a dashboard.

Dashboard pattern does't display properly in album orientation

The Dashboardlayout just works if the number of buttons is even. You have an odd number, just insert an extra button with:

android:background="@null" or "#ffffffff"//transparent

So it will handle it like a extra button but it is transparent.

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