android_frameworks_base/docs/html/design/get-started/ui-overview.jd

page.title=UI Overview
@jd:body

<p>Android's system UI provides the framework on top of which you build your app. Important aspects
include the Home screen experience, global device navigation, and notifications.</p>
<p>Your app will play an important part in keeping the overall Android experience consistent and
enjoyable to use. At the end of this chapter we introduce the main elements for achieving this goal
in your app.</p>
<p>Read on for a quick overview of the most important aspects of the Android user interface.</p>

<h2 id="home-all-apps-recents">Home, All Apps, and Recents</h2>

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<h4>Home screen</h4>
<p>Home is a customizable space that houses app shortcuts, folders and widgets. Navigate between
different home screen panels by swiping left and right.</p>
<p>The Favorites Tray at the bottom always keeps your most important shortcuts and folders in view
regardless of which panel is currently showing.</p>
<p>Access the entire collection of apps and widgets by touching the All Apps button at the center of
the Favorites Tray.</p>

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    <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/ui_overview_all_apps.png">

<h4>All apps screen</h4>
<p>The All Apps screen lets you browse the entire set of apps and widgets that are installed on your
device.</p>
<p>Users can drag an app or widget icon from the All Apps screen and place it in any empty location on
any Home screen.</p>

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    <img src="{@docRoot}design/media/ui_overview_recents.png">

<h4>Recents screen</h4>
<p>Recents provides an efficient way of switching between recently used applications. It provides a
clear navigation path between multiple ongoing tasks.</p>
<p>The Recents button at the right side of the navigation bar displays the apps that the user has
interacted with most recently. They are organized in reverse chronological order with the most
recently used app at the bottom.</p>
<p>Switch to an app by touching it. Remove an item by swiping left or right.</p>

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<h2 id="system-bars">System Bars</h2>

<p>The system bars are screen areas dedicated to the display of notifications, communication of device
status, and device navigation. Typically the system bars are displayed concurrently with your app.
Apps that display immersive content, such as movies or images, can temporarily hide the system bars
to allow the user to enjoy full screen content without distraction.</p>

<img src="{@docRoot}design/media/ui_overview_system_ui.png">

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<ol>
<li>
<h4>Status Bar</h4>
<p>Displays pending notifications on the left and status, such as time, battery level, or signal
  strength, on the right. Swipe down from the status bar to show notification details.</p>
</li>
<li>
<h4>Navigation Bar</h4>
<p>New for phones in Android 4.0, the navigation bar is present only on devices that don't have
  the traditional hardware keys. It houses the device navigation controls Back, Home, and
  Recents, and also displays a menu for apps written for Android 2.3 or earlier.</p>
</li>
</ol>

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<h2 id="notifications">Notifications</h2>

<p>Notifications are brief messages that users can access at any time from the status bar. They
provide updates, reminders, or information that's important, but not critical enough to warrant
interrupting the user. Open the notifications drawer by swiping down on the status bar. Touching a
notification opens the associated app. <a href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/notifications.html">More on Notifications</a></p>

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<p>Notifications can be expanded to uncover more details and relevant actions. When collapsed, notifications
  have a one-line title and a one-line message.The recommended layout for a notification includes two lines.
  If necessary, you can add a third line.</p>
<p>Swiping a notification right or left removes it from the notification drawer.</p>

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<h2 id="app">Common App UI</h2>


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<p>A typical Android app uses action bars, and many apps will include a navigation drawer.</p>
<ol>
<li>
<h4>Action Bar</h4>
<p>The command and control center for your app. The action bar surfaces the most important actions
  for the current view, and may include simple controls for switching between views.</p>
<p><a href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/actionbar.html">More on the Action Bar</a></p>
</li>
<li>
<h4>Navigation Drawer</h4>
<p>If your app's structure is more complex, the navigation drawer can display the main navigation
  options. The navigation drawer expands from the left edge of the screen, overlaying the content
  area but not the action bar.</p>
<p><a href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/navigation-drawer.html">More on the Navigation Drawer</a></p>
</li>
<li>
<h4>Content Area</h4>
<p>The space where the content of your app is displayed.</p>
</li>
</ol>

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