Serenity for Android

What is Serenity

● Plex Media Server Client for Google TV Devices and Android based tablets/phablets.

● Open Source project available on github https://github.com/NineWorlds/serenity-app

● Available in the Google Play store.

Misconception

An app designed for Landscape mode on a Tablet will work just fine on a Google TV device.

Failure Points

● The app may run, but will probably provide a frustrating user experience.

● These apps are designed for Touch and typically do not take into account other ways to interact with the app.

● Using a Mouse is frustrating on the TV. If the user has to use the mouse pointer, it is a design failure.

● Need to design with the TV environment or Accessibility in mind.

Google TV Design Guidelines

● Design for D-PAD not for Touch interface● Avoid the use of the Mouse or Touchpad.● Emphasize obvious items that can be selected

or interacted with.● Back Button should exit or take back to

previous screen.● Give visual indicators when more information

is provided off screen (i.e. scrolling required)

Zones

Design with Zones in mind.

Anti Pattern

D-Pad Navigation can't skip zones. The long scrolling list in the center has to be navigated through to get to the bottom zone.

Text and Icons

● Provide large readable fonts.● Screen space is at a premium. Even at

1920x1080p. – User is sitting about 10ft away so need to make

text and fonts legible from that distance.

– Set up your Google TV development device from that distance.

– Dog Food your design. Use it daily.

Create Quick Navigation Keys

● Provide ways to Navigate quickly through long lists.

● Provide ways to get back to the top of a list quickly.

● To get to the bottom quickly.● Break Long Lists into seperate screens.● Provide Filtering/Search to narrow scope of

items.

Visually Appealing

● Design with Visual Appeal– Apps are going to be in people's living rooms.

– TVs are ment to be visual displays

– You want the wow factor to help bring people back.

– However it needs to be simple and functional.

● Limit the number of clicks that a person has to get to anything on the screen.