Google I/O: New looks for Android

Executives at Google I/O in San Francisco tag teamed to outline Android's new look, which aims to unify the Web, desktop, your phone and wearable devices. Google's bet is that a clean unified design---coupled with contextually aware notifications and other goodies---can connect multiple screens.

Google's Roberto Duarte is talking about defining grids and other design tools that will help apps to move more gracefully across platforms. That's always a huge problem on Android, as seen from many apps having less than ideal versions on tablets.

More from Google I/O 2014

• Android: One billion active users and counting
• Google gives Android a facelift, enter 'material design'
• Google intros Drive for Work as new premium option for Apps users
• Google blurs lines between Android, Chrome for work and personal apps
• Google launches Android One, eyes emerging markets

All framework elements can be colored ... new support library called Palette to extract colors from images.

Tabs are presented in a stack with drop shadows -- sort of a mix of what Apple is doing with skeuomorphism and more familiar design.

The API will recall search results from apps, based on the user's previous actions.

Search results will mix app results and Web results. The API will recall search results from apps, based on user's previous actions.

Reminders are immediately synced from watch to phone.

Google promises fast, fluid, continuous animation at 60 frames per second. This just wasn't possible a year ago.

New notification: heads-up notification coming.

There's a ripple effect when touching tabs, and the dialer button floats above UI.

Note taking.