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Why PBS Won't Do Android

bogaboga writes "You might be wondering why the U.S. Public Broadcasting Service doesn't have a compelling Android footprint. I was wondering too; until they provided the answer. They say, 'Simply put, it’s too complicated for us to even consider an Android app for the first version; we’ll continue to support those viewers with mobile web. ... As we’re focused on the tablet for this project, we’re only designing for the larger screen sizes. But even there, there are a wide range of sizes and aspect ratios. It’s possible to build flexible sizing for these screen layouts, just as we do for the range of desktop web screen sizes. But the flip side to these wide variations is that in a touch experience, ergonomics plays an important role in the design. Navigational elements need to be within easy reach of the edges of the screens since people often are holding their tablets. If the experience is not fine-tuned to each variation the experience would suffer.' They also cite fragmentation. I'm left wondering whether they didn't find support for various screen sizes on Android developer website. Their budget is undoubtedly limited; are their concerns legit? What companies and organizations have developed Android applications that are good to work with on various screen sizes?"

2 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The ipad app is superb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Android is crap is what they really meant to say...

  2. Re:The perfect is the enemy of the good. by MacGyver2210 · · Score: -1, Troll

    It's FUD if it's bullshit. Android can report its screen size and features rather easily, so these "devs" are probably just too Mac-fanboy or outright incompetent to implement it.

    --
    If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits