I have just learned about Android nine-patches idea, and it is a pretty good idea. My question is if it is an Android pattern or there is implementations like that for other platforms, probably differently named.
Thanks!
In iOS you can also strech images in code with StretchableImages. You specify the left, right caps and the "rest" is stretched. I think is basicaly the same idea, this is something like a tutorial on it: http://blog.chomperstomp.com/creating-dynamically-re-sizable-buttons-for-iphone-apps/