Overview of ASUS ZenUI and Zen applications

As you know, today all Android devices from ASUS come with a proprietary ZenUI graphical shell. We mention this in almost every review. But it turned out that there is still no review of ZenUI itself on the blog. We decided to correct this omission, and devoted this review to reviewing the latest version of the ASUS proprietary graphical shell using the ZenFone 2 smartphone as an example.

Work tables

In ASUS ZenFone 2, the main screen is represented by a 5x4 grid, optimal for this screen. However, its size can be changed.


The location of the icons on the selected grid.

Double tap on the screen turns off the display. If you want to see a preview of all desktops, you need to make a “pinch” with two fingers.


Thumbnails of desktops, their location can be changed.


Animation paging tables. You can change the scroll animation by selecting one of eight preset modes.



Just hold your finger on the screen and get quick access to the main screen menu.



Here you can quickly change the design of your desktops. For example, by installing a “live wallpaper” or another set of icons.



A large number of different options for the background of desktops. You can customize for every taste.



In the system settings, it is easy to change the grid and the appearance of the folders, determine the access settings for notifications for applications, set a password for launching applications.



Choose the right font or choose the color of the labels? It is also possible.

Application menu

Applications can be sorted by intellectually selected folders, frequency of use, hide some of them, or choose sorting between all applications and downloaded ones.

Lock screen

At the top of the lock screen are widgets and shortcuts for quick camera calls, applications for calls, SMS. It also displays information from What's Next.

Apps and widgets

The color rendition of the display can be changed by selecting one of the predefined profiles or by applying manual settings. Using the built-in Splendid program, you can vary the color mode between warm and cold tones, as well as increase the brightness of the picture.



You can set up a new notification panel, which displays 4 icons for quick launch of applications and 12 icons of other functions. This panel opens after a double shift - a single shift opens standard notifications.



In the predefined themes, you can change the fonts and the general style, set different wallpapers.



Gesture support has been implemented for quickly launching applications - by touching and moving. Having drawn in a certain way a squiggle, for example, “W”, you can call the application even from a locked screen. You can zoom out to make it comfortable to use with the fingers of one hand.



Due to the fact that Google doesn’t have a search bar on the desktops, more useful space is displayed. In this screenshot, we changed the design theme from the standard to “Autumn”: not only the desktop, but also the icons and font changed.



Myasus. The application is designed to communicate with a round-the-clock support service. It also provides information on new products, reflects the addresses of nearby service points. Using the utility, you can quickly register a product by simply taking a picture of it and gain access to services such as requests for the status of the repair process, customer support hotline, as well as instructions for use.



The autorun manager allows you to disable the autoload of selected programs without superuser rights.



File Manager. It has already integrated the ASUS WebStorage cloud storage, as well as services such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. The dispatcher supports file sharing with computers on the local network without installing additional programs.



Zenlink- Only 4 applications - designed to connect to other devices. Share Link is used to exchange photos, videos and other materials stored on a smartphone with other devices. Party Link allows you to transfer photos or videos to several other devices at once. PC Link allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control for presentations. A Remote Link is designed to connect to a computer.



SuperNote - Take notes with handwriting input, various templates and cloud synchronization. You can add photos to the note.



In What's NextThe nearest events and meetings, missed calls and SMS from important contacts, weather information are displayed. The most important events are displayed on the lock screen, on the home screen and in the notification area.



Using ASUS MiniMovie, you can make slideshows from selected photos. It is possible to add text and music to the video.



And about the weather: the most detailed information.



“ Do it later ” allows you to create a reminder to call back or save interesting content.



Using the Omlet instant messaging platform, you can share messages with device owners who also support Omlet chat.



In the ASUS Support section»Provides information on system maintenance and current news related to shell updates. An extensive guide to working with the system and applications is also presented here, only it has not been translated into Russian.



" Children's mode " allows you to configure access to a limited range of selected applications, as well as set a time limit for using a smartphone.



The keyboard has several themes and supports continuous input and punctuation by holding the finger on the desired letter.





The keyboard has its own dictionary and predictive input system, as well as many various settings, thanks to which it can change both the appearance of the keyboard (for example, setting the background image) and customize how you interact with the text.



Another innovation in ZenUI is notification management. The volume control button on the smartphone case is responsible for the appearance of a menu in which you can select one of several notification methods. This section sets up information about which notifications and calls ZenFone 2 will signal.

Work with SIM cards

In addition, the shell is optimized for working with two SIM-cards: when you connect a second SIM card, a call button is added. In the SMS sending mode, two buttons that are responsible for sending from a particular SIM card are similarly displayed.

Music

You can adjust the sound using the built-in equalizer, but its capabilities are inferior to external applications for playing music / video.



The music application can play music by album, artist and folder. Integrated with the cloud - music can be listened directly from there.

Gallery

The Gallery displays all the images on the smartphone, sorted by album. You can change the sorting if you wish. Pictures can be edited using predefined menu tools.

Accessories

For ASUS Zenfone 2 there are several functional accessories.



The Zenfone 2 View Cover Deluxe branded case, which protects against bumps and scratches, is installed instead of the back cover, has built-in NFC and a round window through which a number of notifications are reflected: time, weather, missed calls, photos - you can start working with all these applications, don’t opening the case.



For Zenfone 2, an unusual docking station, consisting of two halves, as well as a lightweight external battery for 10 050 mAh - ASUS ZenPower. And Zenfone 2 will definitely work in conjunction with the ASUS ZenWatch. In addition, photography enthusiasts can purchase external flash ZenFlash and LolliFlash.

Autonomy

You can choose from four modes of battery consumption or customize your energy-saving scenario. Additionally, you can configure the schedule for switching to various modes.



It clearly demonstrates which applications exert the greatest load on the battery.

Camera

In addition to preset shooting modes with automatic parameters (you can change the depth of field in the frame, remove unnecessary objects from the picture, shoot in the dark), there is also a manual mode.



To get high-quality images at dusk, you can use the HDR mode. To improve the quality of night shots, there is a special night mode. In the “Super Resolution” mode, the resolution of the images increases, and the photos are obtained in more detail. Manual settings offer many options for changing shooting parameters.

Finally

The ASUS ZenUI interface is easy to learn, functional and endowed with numerous tools for visual “sharpening” for user requests. Perhaps not all preinstalled applications are suitable specifically for you, but extra programs can always be hidden, leaving only the most necessary for you.

Among the minuses of the shell, one item that is relevant for the Russian user can be distinguished: part of the help menu (like some elements "in the depth" of the interface) did not receive full localization.