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Google standardizes Holo theme for Android 4.0 devices

Smartphones and tablets with official access to the Android Market will also feature Holo themes as they were originally designed.

Scott Webster
Scott Webster has spent the better part of his adult life playing with cell phones and gadgets. When not looking for the latest Android news and rumors, he relaxes with his wife and son. Scott also is the senior editor for AndroidGuys. E-mail Scott.
Scott Webster
The new compatibility requirement will ensure a more uniform look to Android apps. Google

After investing a considerable amount of time and effort on the Android 4.0 user interface (UI), Google is taking steps to ensure that it remains a key component of devices.

Writing on the developer blog yesterday, Android Framework engineer Adam Powell outlined the new compatibility standard for the Holo theme first introduced in 3.0 Honeycomb.

Going forward, devices running Ice Cream Sandwich with official access to the Android Market will offer the Holo themes as they were initially created. So in other words, developers will have a standard set of UI elements to work with, ultimately resulting in more uniform applications.

This isn't to say that custom skins like HTC's Sense will be going away; In fact, the core aesthetics of those skins will remain integrated into the operating system. But rather than spending time coding elements such as fonts, colors, and margins into an app, developers will be able to pull from either the device's default theme (TouchWiz, Sense, Blur) or Holo.

This move will go a long way to making sure that Android apps look and behave in a similar manner and that devices are updated in a more efficient manner.