New Astro Player's interface

[algisas]

Hi,

No need to say Astro player is very good one.
Though interface could be better.

So I'd like to share my ideas how it could be improved.
I hope I'll find time to create design for a new skin... or maybe even for the new interface.
Hopefully with the help of other users and Astro Player's team it will come into the real life.

Graphic style.
I'd like to see AP clean clear and minimal. Otherwise it can look more as system application.
See images below.

The functionality of the interface.
All options should be available via menu as they are currently.
But the skins should have a clear distinction between playback control functions and playlist/bookmark control.
The distinction between music player and book-reader would be even better.

In music player mode you need to control playlists: Create new ones, reorder current, delete/add tracks, shuffle, repeat, use EQ... mabe something else.
Bookmarks and skipping some seconds IMHO are pretty useless here. To skip part of the song - progress bar is enough.

But bookmarks and precise skipping are priceless for a book-reader.
So they go to the book-reader skin.

Here are some quick mock-ups.
Some icons are missing so far.
They will be in place as time goes .

Skin with minimal rework of the current interface.
It can be improved to resemble more HTC sense interface.



The problem with this skin - it requires lots of work to become really nice.
Now IMHO it is somewhat better than current one. But just a little. It will take a lot of time to make it real eye candy. The later skins are easy to make. IMHO they look really good. And the is little need for further work.
Just add missing icons an you're done.

Minimal skin. Music player



Minimal skin. Book-reader


How do you find these ideas and this graphic style ?
Is that possible to implement second and third skins?

[Andrew Terekhine]

algisas, thanks for your ideas, I think this design is awesome. We are working on it. I'll post our questions and result here.

[algisas]

Great to hear that.
So far I can see some elements on this layout are too small.
Also there is no access to lyrics and album art right now.

The first I'll fix.
The later depends on the decision how much rework new interface will get.
One possible solution is to scrool to the left or to the right to switch between playlits/album art/lyrics in the central zone.
Other - put these options on top menu bar. And do all the playlist edining and reader/player mode switching via menu button.
Third solution- make a top bar "current palylist / album art / lyrics / playlists".
Fourth - make a top menu cusomizable. Prety much as curretly main menu is.

[Andrew Terekhine]

Other way could be to use long press on some buttons. Long press an item in the playlist and context menu also could be an option.

[algisas]

I've just went thoroughly around all the customization options...
Now it's seams I've wrote lots of crap here
I'm taking it back.

AP is even better than I thought.
Everything is perfectly customizable allready.

There is a need to change only graphic style.
And (probably) one more thing...

Currently you can add any shortcut on any soft button.
I.e. by pressing the lyrics button you may go to history.

Would it be possible after changing button action to change it's icon?
Or at least text on it?

[algisas]

How do you find this?


Would it be possible to put playlist text this way and add text to the customizable buttons?

Also, it would be very user friendly to assign function "customize" to each button at first launch.
So any user nows how much he can do with these buttons.

Sorry to say, I missed such a great option .

[Andrew Terekhine]

AP is even better than I thought.
Everything is perfectly customizable allready.

There is a need to change only graphic style.

Yes it was our original intention to make flexible ui and apply only graphic at the end.

Currently you can add any shortcut on any soft button.
I.e. by pressing the lyrics button you may go to history.

Would it be possible after changing button action to change it's icon?
Or at least text on it?

It's not possible now, though, I've added it to the list.
And (probably) one more thing...
Now there is a workaround: the one who really need some change can always do a copy of needed xml file and do some changes there.

[Andrew Terekhine]

How do you find this?

It's awesome! Thanks!

Would it be possible to put playlist text this way and add text to the customizable buttons?

Also, it would be very user friendly to assign function "customize" to each button at first launch.
So any user nows how much he can do with these buttons.

Sorry to say, I missed such a great option .

Ok, as I said this task has been added and I will put more priority on it in order to be ready with it for this new design.

[algisas]

How should I send you the needed files?
Brief description of the layout ellements and transparent icons in iddle and selected states?
One maximum resolution?
Or should I make them for other resolutions?

P.S. If it is possible to change icons, not just a text on custom buttons - I'll make the icons for each function.

[algisas]

I've ran quickly through current NewDesign skin files.
And managed to make this thing:
http://www.diz.lt/astro/minimal-skin.zip

I hope there is no copyright infringement?
If so - please delete my post.
If not - feel free to do whatever you want with this skin

It's to early to call it beta... it's alpha.

TODO:
Ad some colour (too black and white now);
Change tint of green;
Change progress bar;
Fine-tune icons;
Replace EQ icon with a new one (now it just killed old one with "no name" icon);
Add other icons;
Later on maybe rename it form minimal to eyeCandy and ad some 3D, transparency, shadows and other bling-bling

I'm not sure if it is worth to finalize this one, or wait for a new XML.
Will see .