Weekend Poll: What Button Layout Do You Think Is Best?

HTC_One_black

It’s Friday.  If you’re reading this, hopefully work’s over and you can relax.  A lot of tech and mobile news has happened this week. There has been a lot to take in.  One thing we’ve been thinking about and discussing here at DroidDog is button layout.  We’re not really talking about the order the buttons are in here, but we’re talking about what you think is necessary or more importantly convenient to have on your device.  I’m sure device manufacturers do some sort of research on this, but I’ve never been asked for my opinion on how many buttons a devices needs.  If I was asked though, my obvious and immediate response would be “more than one!”  Am I right?!?

Regardless, there are a lot of different button layouts for our Android devices out there.  One new layout that that’s been pretty consistently rumored is the 2 button (back and home) layout for the HTC One, code named M7.  What do you guys think of this 2 button layout? It’s not much different than what Google uses with their Nexus devices, only missing the multitasking button which Samsung already lacks.

So what layout do you think it best?  Or most convenient?  We have a poll for you guys here…  Let us know your thoughts what what layouts you like, used to like, or will like.  And if you want to get some discussions going in the comments section we wouldn’t be offended.  Have a great weekend everyone!

 

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pseagraves 8 pts

I wonder if the "Home" button on the HTC M7/One will double as a menu button

johnnohome 5 pts

 NotoriousNick swype up from the home button on jelly bean with on-screen buttons. It's the same that way. 

joonsunn 7 pts

Voted "Others". On-screen buttons are the best, especially when they are customisable. Everyone can modify it to their liking. Nothing set in stone. Win-win.

Brooks Barnard 30 pts moderator

@joonsunn that's a great point. That would be amazing if Google could implemented that, but it will most likely always be something brought on by custom roms. My Only beef with on screen buttons is the decreased screen real estate.

xPurplexAnarchyx 8 pts

Hm. I suppose HTC's reasoning could be that in previous iterations of Android, holding the home button opened multitasking so they find it redundant to add a multitasking key to their layout.

Brooks Barnard 30 pts moderator

@xPurplexAnarchyx that could be. Right now, on HTC phones running jelly bean long pressing the home button opens Google now

I gotta agree with the guys commenting on here. The Nexus onscreen buttons are the best. Especially that third button app closer. Like EmanulRingo, says, what the f@#k is up with HTC?! Saying that people prefer a thin phone over battery... They sure as f@#k didnt ask me. But anyways, Nexus all the way!

EmanuelRingo 5 pts

I don't get why phone manufacturers (esp HTC) don't get the people's opinion before making such drastic changes. i mean, it is US who will buy and use the phones, not just the member of management who comes up with the layout/new ideas. I mean, at least make a Facebook poll for f*ck's sake and see the people's opinion!

AlexZimmerman 5 pts

The m7 2 button layout option is a little premature.  At this point the htc logo might be a capacitive button, most likely some kind of hub.  Its still speculation.  Furthermore, no one has had time to try the layout yet.

roboguy12 31 pts

I find myself using the multitasking key just as much (if not more than) my home button, and it really bothers me that OEMs have yet to make their devices with onscreen buttons. It's been the Android norm since ICS, yet we still have HTC and Samsung making horrid capacitive buttons that don't react to screen rotation, offer problems with legacy menu buttons, and keep Android looking like stone-age Gingerbread devices.

oneillperson 8 pts

Since ICS, there's no more need for the Search and Menu button. Home and Back are essential, and Recent Apps is useful (although it could be reduced to a Home button long-press). I like having 3 though. The 3-button layout of soft keys works perfectly for me.

jaylanphnx 5 pts

Using a Nexus 4, I have to say the three button layout (back, home, and multitask) has proven really efficient. I think Google's gotten it right, and other manufacturers should take note.