More Metro UI on Android

By Rich Edmonds
last updated

It seems with every post we publish here surrounding Metro UI on Android we're getting closer and closer to a fluent solution. It was only a few days ago when we covered the latest attempt (opens in new tab) to get the look of Windows Phone on an Android powered device. In the video above Arjoma92 (opens in new tab) walks us through his Motorola Defy that appears to resemble Microsoft's Windows Phone in more ways than one. The list of apps (opens in new tab) used are as follows:

  • Lockscreen: WP7 Lock
  • Homescreen: Launcher7
  • Music Player: UberMusic
  • Contacts: WP7 Contacts
  • Keyboard: HTC ImeMod (additional Keyboard sounds (opens in new tab))

While it looks relatively accurate, the smooth scrolling and snappy OS is not present, plus you can still see Android elements throughout the video, but it's a damn good attempt.

Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.

28 Comments
  • Man, that platform is all about theft! At some point Microsoft is going to have to take action against these ripoff artists, inaction is only going to encourage theft on a larger scale.
  • Let them try and replicate the complete interaction of the device, and the integration as a whole. They will never get the full experience of a windows phone and how well everything is integrated with each other without the need for constant tinkering. And who knows how many people that tease will entice to actually get the real thing? I say let them get a taste of what WP is like, as it may actually create some converts.
  • The problem with that is that those people might be deluded enough to believe they're getting the full experience. In truth, all they're getting is a knockoff. Resembles an Oreo, tastes like cardboard.
  • "Man, that platform is all about theft!"You are right on the money. That mentality has shown to go all the way to the top. I think that will ultimately be Androids undoing.Many think that Google bought Motorola Mobility simply for the patents. Motorola was also working on their own mobile OS and were going to dump Android. That would have been a big blow to the platform industry-wide.
  • They can put a lipstick on a pig all they want but in the end it is still a pig.
  • Whip cream on **** still tastes like ****
  • Android, stay in your lane. That looks like it sucks all the way from the other side of the room.
  • The more they try to copy WP7, the more people will say, "uh.. .why didn't you just get a WP7?"
  • I think there are a few things that need to be looked at here with a very open mind.A small number of developers throwing up a Metro UI look alike does not make a platform. They develop all kinds of UIs for Android. There are iOS look alikes. There are Windows 7 look alikes. There are imitations of Samsung's Touchwiz available for other devices. There are numerous imitations of different elements of HTC's Sense.The main point is that you CAN do this on Android. It has the flexibility to make it possible to change your UI to something you like or just plain want to try for awhile.One of the biggest issues surrounding WP7s lack of success SO FAR is its lack of flexibility. If you don't like the Metro UI or certain elements, your only choice is to look elsewhere. It's take it or leave it at this point.So, if you compare WP7 and Android in this light, with WP7 you like it or you buy something else. With Android, if you don't like it, you make changes to something you do like.With the lack of flexibility Microsoft are limiting their market appeal, regardless of whether or not there are other good elements of Windows Phone.I use Windows Phone every day now. It has been a struggle for me to fully adopt the platform. I think I have done it largely out of past loyalties to Microsoft Mobility. However there are numerous things in the UI I do not like, and I would love to have the ability to change them. If I could, I would be an extremely happy user. Without the flexibility I sit on the edge, working very hard to stay on the Windows Phone side. With flexibility it would be easy for me to stay on the WP sideDave
  • ...when I was using WM6.5, I had flexibilites as much as I wanted but I had also to spend hours and days to make the device work properly, praying that the next update, custom ROM or simply a new app would not destroy all my efforts and making me start again from scratch.... Exactly this is what is happening today with Android. Lots and lots of users are complaining about how laggy it is, that without 2-core it doesn't run smooth etc.WP7 might have less flexibility but everything works right out of the box. Because of the imposed minimum requirements, everything is smooth and fluid. I used to be a "WM-Poweruser" but I don't feel the needs of flashing or tweaking any more.....
  • I don't think flexibility means we you have to go back to flashing ROMS. I think having the ability to change font sizes or colours in some areas would be extremely helpful. Being able to put a link to toggle wifi on the home screen would be fantastic. Having more flexibility on the home screen would be very beneficial. None of these need to lead to poorer performance.....nor does wanting them make me an Android fanboy.....to the adolescent below.
  • yea I'll just rank this down. missed the point.
  • If you unlocked your phone you could have a Wi-fi toggle shortcut, and customize quite a lot on the device. You have that option, developer unlocking is fairly easy. Sure it's not customizable right out of the box, but if you really want it then there are ways to do it, much like how getting a WP7 UI for Android is not just a click away.
  • It is actually a few clicks away... 
  • says the android fanboy, there's only a certain amount of customization permitted before instability comes into play and that's what android and WM suffers from. MS learned from that and will not go down that path again.
  • Very well said Dave but let's look at it this way. The average user is not concerned with customization to the level of the more tech minded people. They are concerned with getting their data as easily, quickly and efficiently as possible. They also want a dependable device which has very little uptime and technical glitches. They also want a safe virus free enviornment also. So based on the criteria of your article, the thorn in MS's side is lack of customization. I think the thorn in Android's side is optimization.1) Customizationvs.2) Optimization and overall performance.Whichever of the two choices are most important to you will determine which platform you choose or lean towards.
  • I absolutely agree that for the average users customization and flexibility aren't as important. I've said this a few times lately.....the big problem Microsoft is having with Windows Phone is its lack of mindshare. Mindshare starts with the the bloggers, and more technically minded reviewers. Lack of flexibility is a big thing to them so they talk the platform down. Hence, the average user doesn't see any kind of hype behind WP and move on. That is what they are advised to do by the more "knowledgeable" bloggers, reviewers, and sales people. This is why I think the tight control over this platform is backfiring on Microsoft.
  • ** Meant to say downtime vs instead of uptime.
  • LOL....I knew what you meant. :)
  • Isn't the Metro UI design protected by copyright?I don't want Android and IOS developers starting copying WP7.Could MS protect their ideas better?
  • I don't think the developer and the combination of various pieces put together to mimic WP7 is looking to monetize this. I am far from being a lawyer, but it would be a tough case to argue. Like when Apple tried to sue MS for stealing the "look and feel" of the MacOS in Windows. It's a slippery standard.
  • Microsoft was just issued a a design patent for the UI last week if I remember correctly.
  • I have no problem with this. This kind of setup helps to give the typically bland Android UI something new. It's an opportunity for someone to get a little taste, or a demo. If they like what they see, maybe they move on to WP7 to get the full experience. Maybe they're locked in a contract and can't move on to a new phone yet. Maybe there was no WP7 phone available when they signed a contract *cough*Verizon*cough*. This kinda thing lets someone build interest in the platform on comparable hardware. I've used the Launcher7 app and it's very well designed. If anything, it only built up my interest in WP7.He could have picked a better keyboard, though. A.I. Type Keyboard has a WP7 skin that's a little more accurate.
  • Someone put a lot of work into that! Looks great, although reminded me of how much I do not miss skinning and altering OS's haha. Looked tedious.. Regardless a good work of skinning an OS!
  • apparently u don't know anything about graphic design...this app for android is far away from being METRO... also it is so un-tasty!and u run WP Central? lolthose saying this app can attract users to use WP7... that's not true, users testing this app wll say 'oh this is WP7? it sucks' .... I think this app is built by google itself to tell their users 'if u run away fron android, this is what u'll get', that's why they built this horrible UI that isn't even the shadow of a real metro ui!
  • As much as people "hate" wp7 the developers are apparently spending countless hours putting together a wp7 rom to run on android. Not only that, it WILL be downloaded, maybe not by many but it will still be downloaded. Either way it goes I think wp7 is winning a fight that it doesnt even know its a part of.
  • Initially it kind of irritated me a bit that it's being knocked off onto Android. Especially after the recent news that Microsoft has been granted the patent on the Metro UI. But after a day or so, thinking back. It's actually free marketing for Microsoft. As someone also said above, they'll never be able to have the full integration and UI experience of WP7. So eventually someone is just going to buy the phone and get off of Android. Bottom line is, people who wants android and loves google will almost never switch. But there are plenty of downsides to android, especially the stability of the hardware and software. From being iPhone to Android to Mango, I am extremely satisfied and happy with my Samsung Focus. Now I just need to wait for the new hardware and dump AT&T to head to Verizon. :)
  • still has the trademark stuttering animation of the Android platform. Until Android gets decent hardware acceleration, the animations will remain poor. The guy did his best to make it look smooth but it's limited by Android. Android has a lot going for it, but user interface animations is not it. Compare Android to WP7 and iOS and the Android looks sad.