Android delete from listview, user experience

Question

I've seen how iphone users delete from lists - its generally a swipe action and then shows some minus/remove button.

I realize that it is counterproductive to implement iphone things on android because android users don't know this stuff.

I don't want to do that, I just don't know of a better/intuitive way to delete from a listview.

I've previously opted for doing "longclicks" on listview items, which will show an alertdialog asking if you want to delete or do other things, but this is never an obvious thing to do.

I've seen delete buttons that are shown in each view, but that messes with the layout of the listview, in a way that wasnt' considered in the wireframes.

What is a good intuitive way to allow the user to remove items from listviews on android?

Answer 1

Here's my two cents before I pitch my answer. Any one who has an android phone is going to know or eventually find out that longclicks often lead to another menu. Yes, it's not immediately obvious but they are going to figure it out just as iphone users have figured out the swipe action is to delete.

If you really want a fool proof way for a user to know how to delete, I would implement checkBoxes. (More on check boxes here)If the user checks the item, bring up a "soft menu" at the bottom that has a bunch of options normally associated with long clicks.

If you look at the gmail application and check a box, you'll see what I mean when I say "soft menu".

Another way you could go would be to implement check box, then have "menu options." Every android user should be able to see and figure out the menu button on their device, all devices have them. Make one of the menu options delete and you're all set.

http://developer.android.com/guide/practices/ui_guidelines/menu_design.html#options_menu