The ellipsis, typically represented by three vertically aligned dots, is a typical consumer interface factor discovered within the Android working system. It sometimes signifies the presence of further choices or actions that aren’t instantly seen on the display. Deciding on this visible cue expands the interface to disclose a menu or checklist of additional functionalities. For example, inside an software’s settings menu, the ellipsis may result in superior configuration choices or much less steadily used options.
This UI factor contributes considerably to a cleaner and extra streamlined consumer expertise. By consolidating secondary actions behind a single, recognizable icon, builders can scale back visible litter and current customers with solely probably the most related controls initially. Traditionally, its adoption throughout numerous platforms has standardized consumer interplay, permitting customers to rapidly perceive and navigate completely different functions with a constant expectation of accessing hidden functionalities. Its presence typically implies a pathway to customization, superior settings, or much less widespread actions.
Understanding the operate and objective of this specific icon is essential for each end-users navigating the Android ecosystem and builders designing functions for it. Subsequent sections will delve into its particular functions inside completely different Android contexts, design concerns for builders implementing this factor, and potential accessibility implications.
1. Contextual Menu Entry
The vertical ellipsis serves as a major gateway to contextual menu entry throughout the Android working system. Activating this visible factor constantly presents customers with a collection of actions related to the present display or software state. This operate straight hyperlinks the icon to a secondary layer of consumer controls, successfully increasing the accessible choices with out cluttering the principle interface. The cause-and-effect relationship is obvious: the presence of the icon alerts the supply of additional actions, and its activation triggers the show of this context-dependent menu. The supply of contextual menu decisions improves consumer expertise by streamlining decisions and permitting related decisions for every state of affairs.
Contemplate the sensible instance of a file administration software. The primary view shows an inventory of information, whereas the ellipsis, when tapped, supplies entry to choices similar to renaming, deleting, or sharing the chosen file. With out the ellipsis and its related menu, these actions would require separate, devoted buttons, leading to a extra complicated and fewer intuitive interface. Equally, inside an internet browser, the icon may grant entry to settings, bookmarks, or historical past, presenting functionalities not instantly required however available when wanted. These illustrations emphasize the essential function of the ellipsis in organizing and presenting secondary features inside an software.
In abstract, the connection between the vertical ellipsis and contextual menu entry is key to environment friendly Android interface design. This design promotes streamlined consumer experiences by consolidating much less steadily used actions behind a single, recognizable icon, guaranteeing a transparent and navigable software setting. Understanding this relationship is important for each builders, who should implement this factor successfully, and end-users, who depend on it to entry the total vary of software functionalities. The significance of this pairing contributes to the simplicity and performance of the android working system.
2. Decreased Interface Muddle
The vertical ellipsis, representing additional choices, straight contributes to lowered interface litter throughout the Android working system. This icon acts as a container for much less steadily used actions or settings. Consequently, the first display actual property stays uncluttered, presenting solely important features on to the consumer. The clear trigger is that, with out this container, all actions would demand devoted display area. The impact could be an interface burdened with quite a few buttons and choices, diminishing consumer expertise as a result of complexity. The vertical ellipsis supplies the advantage of streamlining the visible setting, selling ease of navigation and understanding.
A typical instance could be noticed inside picture modifying functions. The first interface options fundamental modifying instruments like cropping and brightness adjustment. Superior choices, similar to filter software or detailed coloration correction, are relegated to the menu accessible via the vertical ellipsis. This design selection prevents the core modifying features from being visually overwhelmed by much less steadily used options. Equally, in communication functions, choices like blocking a contact or accessing superior settings reside throughout the ellipsis menu, leaving the principle display targeted on composing and viewing messages. These illustrate the icon’s broad applicability throughout various software classes.
In conclusion, the hyperlink between the vertical ellipsis and lowered interface litter is key to Androids consumer interface design. The ellipsis facilitates a clear and intuitive setting by hiding secondary features. The usage of this design improves effectivity and reduces cognitive load for the consumer. Understanding this relationship, each from a improvement and end-user perspective, is essential for navigating the Android ecosystem and designing functions successfully. The success of the vertical ellipsis proves that it’s a helpful operate that advantages customers.
3. Hidden Performance Indicator
The vertical ellipsis inherently features as a hidden performance indicator throughout the Android setting. Its visible presence alerts the existence of further, typically context-dependent, choices and actions that aren’t instantly obvious on the first interface. This symbolic illustration is essential for managing complexity and presenting a streamlined consumer expertise.
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Disclosure of Secondary Actions
The first function of the ellipsis is to reveal a variety of secondary actions accessible to the consumer. These actions may embody settings changes, superior options, or much less steadily used instructions. By consolidating these choices behind a single, discreet icon, the interface avoids visible litter. For example, in a photograph gallery software, choices like “edit,” “share,” or “delete” is likely to be accessible via the ellipsis, maintaining the principle view targeted on picture show.
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Contextual Consciousness
The performance uncovered by the ellipsis is commonly contextually conscious, that means the choices offered adapt to the particular display or chosen merchandise. For instance, the ellipsis in a textual content messaging software may provide choices particular to the chosen message, similar to “ahead,” “copy,” or “delete.” This adaptability enhances consumer effectivity by offering related actions with out requiring the consumer to navigate via unrelated menus or choices.
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Progressive Disclosure
The ellipsis embodies the precept of progressive disclosure, a consumer interface design method that defers the show of superior or sometimes used options till they’re explicitly requested by the consumer. This method prevents the interface from overwhelming novice customers whereas nonetheless offering entry to extra complicated functionalities for knowledgeable customers. This creates a greater studying curve for brand new customers whereas offering entry to helpful choices.
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Standardized Symbolism
The widespread adoption of the ellipsis as a hidden performance indicator throughout numerous Android functions fosters a standardized symbolism. Customers rapidly be taught to affiliate this icon with the expectation of further choices, enabling intuitive navigation and exploration of software options. This standardization contributes to a constant and predictable consumer expertise throughout the Android ecosystem. The vertical ellipsis supplies a helpful image for locating choices.
In conclusion, the vertical ellipsis is greater than only a visible factor; it serves as a vital signifier of hidden functionalities throughout the Android setting. Its potential to reveal secondary actions, adapt to context, implement progressive disclosure, and keep standardized symbolism underscores its significance in making a user-friendly and environment friendly working system. The mix of those sides spotlight the usefulness of the android ecosystem’s design.
4. Motion Overflow Administration
Motion Overflow Administration, because it pertains to the vertical ellipsis throughout the Android working system, considerations the strategic group and presentation of software actions when the accessible display area is inadequate to show all actions straight. The vertical ellipsis serves as the first mechanism for accessing these overflow actions, dictating how customers work together with much less steadily used, however nonetheless important, functionalities.
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Prioritization and Motion Choice
Efficient motion overflow administration entails prioritizing which actions are displayed prominently and that are relegated to the overflow menu, accessed through the ellipsis. Frequent actions, similar to “save” or “ship,” sometimes obtain direct placement, whereas much less frequent actions, similar to “settings” or “assist,” are positioned throughout the overflow. Improper prioritization can result in lowered consumer effectivity, as customers could battle to find steadily used actions hidden throughout the overflow menu.
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{Hardware} Button Concerns (Deprecated)
Traditionally, some Android units featured a devoted {hardware} menu button, which triggered the motion overflow. With the deprecation of this {hardware} button, the vertical ellipsis has grow to be the usual technique for accessing overflow actions throughout all Android units. This variation necessitates builders to constantly implement the ellipsis to make sure a uniform consumer expertise throughout units, whatever the presence or absence of a {hardware} menu button. The motion overflow ensures standardization.
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Visible Consistency and Discoverability
Sustaining visible consistency within the placement and look of the vertical ellipsis is essential for discoverability. Customers be taught to count on the ellipsis in a selected location, sometimes within the top-right nook of the display. Deviating from this conference can result in consumer confusion and lowered usability. Moreover, the icon itself have to be clearly recognizable to sign the presence of further actions. That is necessary to making sure operate will not be affected.
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Accessibility Implications
Motion overflow administration has important accessibility implications. The actions hidden behind the ellipsis have to be accessible to customers with disabilities, together with these utilizing display readers or different assistive applied sciences. Builders should make sure that the actions throughout the overflow menu are correctly labeled and accessible through different enter strategies to offer an inclusive consumer expertise. That is key for android features to be accessible for all.
The efficacy of motion overflow administration, as manifested via the vertical ellipsis, straight impacts software usability and consumer satisfaction. A well-managed motion overflow presents a clear, intuitive interface that gives quick access to each important and fewer frequent actions, enhancing the general Android expertise. Builders should strategically implement this factor to optimize consumer effectivity and guarantee accessibility throughout all system sorts and consumer wants.
5. Customization Choices
The vertical ellipsis steadily serves as an entry level for personalisation choices throughout the Android setting. The icon’s operate as a gateway to much less steadily accessed options straight interprets to its function in offering customized experiences. Deciding on the ellipsis typically unveils a menu containing settings that permit customers to tailor the applying’s conduct or look to their preferences. With out the ellipsis, these customization options would require devoted interface components, probably cluttering the principle display and hindering the consumer expertise. As a direct consequence of this design selection, the Android system achieves a steadiness between usability and personalization.
For example, in a music streaming software, the vertical ellipsis may result in settings governing audio high quality, playback conduct, or notification preferences. In a doc modifying software, the ellipsis might present entry to choices for customizing the toolbar, setting default fonts, or configuring auto-save intervals. These customization settings permits the consumer to customise their private software experiences. These examples spotlight the ellipsis’s essential function in offering customers with management over their digital setting, enabling them to adapt functions to their particular wants and preferences. It provides the consumer a private contact and really feel.
In conclusion, the connection between the vertical ellipsis and customization choices is integral to the consumer expertise in Android. By consolidating customization settings behind this discreet icon, builders can keep a clear and intuitive interface whereas offering customers with the pliability to personalize their functions. Understanding this relationship is crucial for each software builders, who should design customization menus successfully, and end-users, who can leverage these options to optimize their Android expertise. The vertical ellipsis’s design reveals the profit it supplies to customization.
6. Superior Settings Gateway
The vertical ellipsis throughout the Android working system steadily features as a sophisticated settings gateway. This icon serves as a constant and recognizable entry level to a deeper degree of software configuration, permitting customers to switch granular parameters and personalize their expertise past the scope of generally used options. Understanding this function is essential for each builders designing intuitive interfaces and customers in search of to totally customise their system conduct.
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Hierarchical Navigation
The ellipsis facilitates hierarchical navigation to superior settings. Main settings are sometimes offered straight on the principle settings display, whereas much less steadily accessed or extra complicated configurations are nested behind the ellipsis. This design selection prevents overwhelming the consumer with an in depth checklist of choices whereas nonetheless offering entry to superior customization capabilities. For instance, a community settings menu may straight show Wi-Fi connectivity choices, whereas superior choices similar to proxy settings or MAC handle configuration are accessible via the ellipsis.
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Configuration Scope
The scope of settings accessed via the ellipsis typically extends past fundamental software performance, encompassing choices that affect efficiency, safety, or information utilization. These superior settings can considerably affect the consumer expertise, permitting for fine-grained management over system conduct. An instance may embody superior battery optimization settings, information utilization limits, or software permission administration. The superior settings scope has many makes use of for customers.
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Person Experience Ranges
The implementation of superior settings behind the ellipsis acknowledges various ranges of consumer experience. Novice customers can successfully make the most of the applying with no need to interact with complicated configurations, whereas superior customers retain the power to fine-tune their expertise to their particular wants. This method permits builders to cater to a broad viewers with out compromising usability for much less technically inclined customers. Offering superior choices permits for extra consumer management.
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Discovery Challenges
A possible downside of concealing superior settings behind the ellipsis is the problem of discoverability. Customers unfamiliar with the Android interface could not notice that further configuration choices can be found. Builders can mitigate this situation by offering contextual hints or tooltips that point out the presence of superior settings. Person schooling and clear labeling are key to making sure that customers can absolutely leverage the customization potential of the applying. Clear labeling helps customers uncover choices.
The superior settings gateway operate of the vertical ellipsis is a essential factor of Android’s design philosophy, balancing ease of use with superior customization. This design permits customers to entry a posh array of choices with out cluttering the first interface. This operate is useful in lots of consumer eventualities. By strategically using the vertical ellipsis, builders can cater to a various consumer base and supply a versatile and customized Android expertise.
7. Design Consistency
The vertical ellipsis’s constant implementation throughout the Android ecosystem straight contributes to a extra predictable and intuitive consumer expertise. Its standardized look and placement, sometimes within the top-right nook of the display, creates a recognizable sample. This familiarity permits customers to rapidly determine and entry further choices or actions, whatever the particular software in use. A deviation from this established design undermines consumer expectations and will increase cognitive load, requiring customers to re-learn interplay patterns for every new software. The cause-and-effect relationship is obvious: constant design fosters intuitive use, whereas inconsistent design results in confusion and frustration.
The significance of design consistency is exemplified by the widespread use of the ellipsis for accessing settings or overflow menus. Whether or not in an internet browser, a social media software, or a file supervisor, the ellipsis reliably supplies entry to much less steadily used options. This uniformity minimizes the educational curve for brand new customers and enhances effectivity for knowledgeable customers. Contemplate, for instance, a situation the place the settings menu is situated behind a special icon or in a non-standard location. Customers would waste helpful time looking for this important operate, diminishing the general usability of the applying. Moreover, design techniques, similar to Materials Design, actively promote the constant use of the ellipsis to take care of a unified feel and look throughout the Android platform.
In conclusion, design consistency is a essential part of the vertical ellipsis’s success as a UI factor. Its standardized implementation fosters predictability, enhances usability, and reduces consumer frustration. Whereas delicate variations within the look of the ellipsis could exist throughout completely different functions, its core operate as a gateway to further choices stays constant. Sustaining this design consistency is crucial for preserving the intuitive nature of the Android working system and guaranteeing a seamless consumer expertise. The constant operate of the vertical ellipsis highlights how standardization of operate contributes to a profitable UI factor.
8. Intuitive Person Interface
The “three vertical dots icon android” , or vertical ellipsis, considerably influences the intuitiveness of the Android consumer interface. The presence of this icon serves as a visible cue, implicitly speaking the supply of further actions or settings with out overwhelming the consumer with an in depth array of instantly seen choices. The ellipsis promotes a cleaner, much less cluttered interface, straight impacting ease of navigation and decreasing the cognitive load on the consumer. The causal relationship is obvious: the ellipsis hides secondary features, leading to a extra streamlined and simply understood major interface. An intuitive consumer interface depends on visible cues that rapidly talk operate, and the ellipsis serves this objective successfully.
Contemplate the instance of a cellular e mail software. The primary display sometimes shows an inventory of emails. As an alternative of presenting buttons for actions like “Reply,” “Ahead,” “Delete,” and “Transfer to Folder” straight on every e mail entry, these choices are sometimes consolidated behind the vertical ellipsis. This design selection maintains deal with the e-mail content material and prevents the interface from turning into visually overwhelming. Customers, upon seeing the ellipsis, intuitively perceive that tapping it should reveal additional actions related to the chosen e mail. One other instance is in photograph modifying apps the place superior choices are hidden behind the vertical ellipsis to offer strategy to the principle choices similar to cropping and rotating.
In abstract, the vertical ellipsis enhances the intuitiveness of the Android consumer interface by offering a constant and recognizable mechanism for accessing secondary features and customization choices. Its strategic use contributes to a cleaner, much less cluttered interface, facilitating simpler navigation and decreasing the cognitive burden on the consumer. Nevertheless, discoverability stays a key problem. Customers should perceive the symbolic that means of the ellipsis to totally make the most of its performance. Regardless of this problem, the vertical ellipsis stays a helpful device for creating intuitive and environment friendly Android functions. Its intuitive design supplies choices with out being overwhelming for brand new customers.
9. Accessibility Concerns
Accessibility concerns are paramount when implementing the vertical ellipsis inside Android functions. This consumer interface factor, representing further actions or settings, have to be designed and applied in a way that’s usable by people with disabilities. Failure to take action can exclude a good portion of the consumer base and violate accessibility tips.
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Display screen Reader Compatibility
The actions hidden behind the vertical ellipsis have to be correctly labeled for display reader software program. Display screen readers depend on textual descriptions to convey info to visually impaired customers. With out applicable labeling, these customers will probably be unable to know the aim of the ellipsis or the actions contained throughout the related menu. For example, as a substitute of merely asserting “button,” the display reader ought to announce “Extra choices” or a context-specific description like “Edit choices.”
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Keyboard Navigation
All actions accessible via the vertical ellipsis have to be navigable utilizing a keyboard. Customers with motor impairments could depend on keyboard enter to work together with functions. The order of actions throughout the ellipsis menu ought to be logical and predictable, permitting customers to simply entry desired features utilizing arrow keys or different keyboard shortcuts. Focus indicators ought to clearly spotlight the at the moment chosen motion.
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Contact Goal Dimension
The contact goal dimension of the vertical ellipsis icon itself, in addition to the person actions throughout the related menu, have to be sufficiently giant to accommodate customers with motor impairments. Small contact targets could be tough to activate precisely, resulting in frustration and lowered usability. Tips advocate a minimal contact goal dimension of 48×48 density-independent pixels to make sure accessibility.
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Coloration Distinction
Sufficient coloration distinction between the vertical ellipsis icon and its background is essential for customers with low imaginative and prescient or coloration blindness. Inadequate distinction could make the icon tough to see, stopping customers from recognizing its presence and accessing the related actions. Net Content material Accessibility Tips (WCAG) specify minimal distinction ratios that ought to be adhered to for all consumer interface components.
Addressing these accessibility concerns will not be merely a matter of compliance with laws; it’s a elementary facet of making inclusive and usable Android functions. By guaranteeing that the vertical ellipsis is accessible to all customers, builders can broaden their viewers and supply a extra equitable consumer expertise. Neglecting these concerns can unintentionally exclude a good portion of the consumer base. The vertical ellipsis ought to be correctly applied with these features in thoughts.
Continuously Requested Questions
This part addresses widespread inquiries concerning the performance, implementation, and objective of the vertical ellipsis (also known as the “three vertical dots icon”) throughout the Android working system. The next questions and solutions goal to offer readability and handle potential misconceptions.
Query 1: What’s the major operate of the vertical ellipsis in Android functions?
The first operate of the vertical ellipsis is to point the presence of further, context-sensitive choices or actions that aren’t instantly seen on the display. It serves as a gateway to secondary features, stopping interface litter and streamlining the consumer expertise.
Query 2: The place is the vertical ellipsis sometimes situated inside an Android software’s consumer interface?
The vertical ellipsis is usually situated within the upper-right nook of the applying’s display. This constant placement fosters predictability and permits customers to rapidly determine and entry further choices.
Query 3: What forms of actions are sometimes discovered behind the vertical ellipsis?
Actions discovered behind the vertical ellipsis typically embody settings changes, superior options, much less steadily used instructions, and customization choices. The particular actions range relying on the context of the applying and the display through which the ellipsis is displayed.
Query 4: How does the vertical ellipsis contribute to accessibility inside Android functions?
When correctly applied, the vertical ellipsis can improve accessibility by decluttering the first interface and permitting customers to entry much less steadily used options on demand. Nevertheless, builders should make sure that the actions behind the ellipsis are correctly labeled for display readers and navigable through keyboard to make sure accessibility for all customers.
Query 5: Is using the vertical ellipsis obligatory in Android software improvement?
The usage of the vertical ellipsis will not be strictly obligatory, however it’s extremely beneficial for managing interface complexity and offering entry to secondary features. Adherence to established design patterns, together with using the ellipsis, promotes a constant and intuitive consumer expertise throughout the Android ecosystem.
Query 6: How can builders make sure that the actions hidden behind the vertical ellipsis are discoverable by customers?
Builders can improve discoverability by offering contextual hints or tooltips that point out the presence of further choices. Clear and concise labeling of the actions throughout the ellipsis menu can also be essential for guaranteeing that customers can simply perceive and make the most of the accessible functionalities.
In abstract, the vertical ellipsis is an important consumer interface factor in Android, contributing to a cleaner, extra intuitive, and extra accessible consumer expertise when applied appropriately. Understanding its operate and finest practices for implementation is important for each builders and end-users.
The subsequent article part will handle finest practices to “three vertical dots icon android” for builders.
Implementation Ideas
This part supplies actionable steering for builders implementing the vertical ellipsis, specializing in usability, accessibility, and adherence to Android design rules. Constant software of the following pointers ensures a strong and intuitive consumer expertise.
Tip 1: Prioritize Motion Placement: Decide which actions are most steadily used and current them straight on the display. Reserve the vertical ellipsis for secondary or much less widespread actions. This strategic placement minimizes consumer clicks and optimizes effectivity.
Tip 2: Guarantee Contextual Relevance: The actions offered throughout the ellipsis menu have to be related to the present display or chosen merchandise. Displaying irrelevant choices can confuse customers and diminish the consumer expertise. Make use of dynamic menu development to tailor the accessible actions to the particular context.
Tip 3: Adhere to Materials Design Tips: Observe Materials Design specs for the looks and placement of the vertical ellipsis. This consistency promotes familiarity and reduces the educational curve for customers accustomed to the Android interface. This ensures a constant aesthetic for the vertical ellipsis and different choices.
Tip 4: Present Clear Labeling: Each motion throughout the ellipsis menu will need to have a transparent and concise label. Use descriptive language that precisely conveys the operate of every choice. Keep away from ambiguous or technical jargon that will confuse customers.
Tip 5: Implement Keyboard Navigation: Make sure that all actions throughout the ellipsis menu are navigable utilizing a keyboard. Customers with motor impairments could depend on keyboard enter to work together with functions. Implement a logical and predictable navigation order utilizing arrow keys or different keyboard shortcuts.
Tip 6: Optimize Contact Goal Dimension: The contact goal dimension of the vertical ellipsis icon and all actions throughout the related menu ought to be sufficiently giant to accommodate customers with motor impairments. Tips advocate a minimal contact goal dimension of 48×48 density-independent pixels.
Tip 7: Take a look at with Display screen Readers: Completely check the implementation with display reader software program to make sure that all actions are correctly introduced and accessible to visually impaired customers. Present descriptive labels that precisely convey the operate of every choice.
Tip 8: Contemplate Placement on Bigger Screens: On tablets and different large-screen units, consider whether or not the actions hidden behind the ellipsis may very well be displayed straight on the display with out compromising the consumer interface. Optimize the format to make the most of the elevated display actual property.
By diligently making use of the following pointers, builders can create Android functions that aren’t solely visually interesting and user-friendly but in addition accessible to a wider vary of customers. This cautious consideration to element ends in a extra polished {and professional} software.
The following part will summarize this text and re-iterate the usefulness of the vertical ellipsis.
Conclusion
This exploration of “three vertical dots icon android” has highlighted its essential function in Android’s consumer interface. It serves as a major mechanism for accessing secondary features, decreasing interface litter, and offering a pathway to customization and superior settings. Efficient implementation, guided by accessibility concerns and adherence to established design patterns, is paramount for guaranteeing a seamless and intuitive consumer expertise.
The continued evolution of cellular interfaces will doubtless necessitate ongoing refinement of this visible factor, balancing discoverability with the necessity for streamlined design. Builders should stay cognizant of the affect this small, but important, icon has on consumer notion and total software usability. Additional analysis and refinement ought to be prioritized to optimize its performance throughout various consumer demographics and system capabilities. Solely via constant effort can the true potential of the Android’s “three vertical dots icon” be absolutely realized.
