Google looks to standardise the Android interface

ANDROID CREATOR Google has announced new required themes for future devices running its latest version of the mobile operating system.

The Holo themes were introduced with Android 3.0 Honeycomb but will now be a standard feature on any device running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and beyond.

Google said, "We've made the inclusion of the unmodified Holo theme family a compatibility requirement for devices running Android 4.0 and forward. If the device has Android Market it will have the Holo themes as they were originally designed."

This doesn't mean that every device will have a completely vanilla Android interface because Google has "no desire to restrict manufacturers from building their own themed experience across their devices". The common themes will also help developers create apps.

Interface skins or overlays like HTC's Sense and Samsung's Touchwiz will still remain, but alongside the Holo themes. Google said it has made it easier for vendors to create custom interfaces with the latest version of Android.

The good news for many users is that this should make upgrading devices faster than before.

Google said, "Formally separating these theme families will also make future merges easier for manufacturers updating to a new platform version, helping more devices update more quickly." µ