[Update: It’s True] Palm Loses Lead User Interface Designer, Could Be Headed to Google
All Things D is reporting that Matias Duarte – Palm’s senior director of human interface and user experience – has left the company post-HP acquisition and might be making his way into the Googleplex. Duarte lead the development of Palm’s webOS UI which – I have to admit – was one pretty interface.
His departure has been confirmed, but his destination is unofficially being pinpointed at Google with the Android team. Should the rumor turn out to be true, it’ll be pretty exciting to see how Google uses Duarte’s expertise for future versions of Android. While there are still many of us who believe vanilla Android is the greatest thing since Android’s debut (come on, sliced bread isn’t that great anymore), there are still a ton of people who thinks Android’s UI could stand to be a bit more user friendly.
ATD’s contacted both Google and Duarte for comment, but neither have yet to respond. If they do (and if they confirm Duarte’s seat at the Android round table) we’ll update just as fast as they’re able to.
[Update]: And not even moments after we reported the story, Engadget’s confirming the rumor to be true indeed. Mr. Matias Duarte is now the new User Experience Director for Android at Google. Congratulations to both parties involved in this exciting move and we sure can’t wait to see what influence Matias has on Android going forward.