Google started so successfully because the company was made up of two brilliant innovators who clung to some unrelenting dreams. The story of the company’s success since then may just be more of the same, since so much of what drives the company — including the new fields Google is able to enter — stems from nothing more or less than their people resources. Yes, some of this comes from Google’s infamous “20% time,” but a big chunk is also due to smart hiring. One of the company’s most genius decisions in this field? Bringing on Matias Duarte to help revamp the Android UI.
Duarte is by no means inexperienced in the field. The Google System report tells us that Duarte previously worked for Sidekick, Helio, and Palm on their web operating systems. Duarte joined the Google team in March of 2010, and since his original move to the company, he’s been able to address more than a few of the problematic shortcomings in the Google UI. The virtual keyboard, including soft key and hidden menu fixes, is one of the more notable changes. Duarte has also revamped the entire interface to help make multitasking simpler, more intuitive, and (let’s face it) funner.
However, Duarte’s work is only just starting to be unleashed onto the Android world. It’s not likely that he had a lot of impact on the early releases this year, and the real innovative shifts we’ve discussed belong primarily to Gingerbread. As we look forward to the upcoming “Ice Cream” (2.4) and “Honeycomb” (3.0), we can really see his ideas shining through.
Duarte has discussed some of his ideas, as well as what it’s been like working with Google and its various partner companies in the mobile world, in an interview with Engadget.
