All articles tagged with #icons
Apple is reiterating Macintosh UI guidelines that icons should be used sparingly, following criticism of macOS 26 Tahoe’s menu icons. The updated macOS 27 guidance emphasizes using icons to highlight common actions and features, aiming for a cleaner, less cluttered menu experience; observers view this as a corrective turn for Apple’s UI design.
Google formally announced redesigned icons for 14 Google Workspace apps to create a more cohesive visual identity across the suite while keeping each app’s unique character. The redesign leans into a color-gradient aesthetic, with some icons going abstract (Sheets) and Meet adopting a bold yellow yet retaining its camera motif. Deployment is expected to be gradual, possibly extending into June, and Pixel users can opt for a disco-style icon option.
Google is rolling out a redesigned gradient-style Workspace icon set with rounded shapes; several apps move to single-color icons (Chat, Meet, Calendar) to stand out, while Docs/Sheets/Slides largely keep their color schemes (Sheets/Slides swap to landscape); Drive gains rounded corners and Keep drops borders, with the changes arriving as Google I/O nears.
Google is gradually rolling out a gradient redesign for Workspace icons, updating apps like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar and Tasks with colorful gradients. The new icons are visible on Google's homepage launcher, but in-app icons haven’t all updated yet. The refresh moves away from the old four-color scheme to softer gradients (Calendar and Meet show distinct blue/yellow shifts; Keep and Tasks also look different). A broader rollout is expected around Google I/O 2026.
WhatsApp is rolling out a paid iOS plan called WhatsApp Plus aimed at heavy users, adding customization options such as premium sticker packs with fullscreen animations, 18 accent colors, 14 alternate app icons, bulk theme/ringtone settings, and an expanded pinned-chat limit (3→20); pricing is €2.49/month in Europe or $29 in Mexico with potential free trials, while core messaging and encryption remain free and the rollout is limited to a small beta for now.
Google is rolling out a gradient-based icon refresh across more apps, giving Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Keep, Tasks and others distinct new icons instead of the old four-color set; Drive also returns to its green-yellow-blue palette and Calendar adopts a blue date-mark icon, as Google moves toward a broader branding refresh ahead of I/O.
Nintendo Switch Online is offering a limited-time opportunity until January 11, 2026, for subscribers to acquire and revisit exclusive icons from various games in 2025, with each icon costing 10 Platinum Points and themed sets including titles like Super Mario Galaxy, F-Zero 99, and Kirby. The offer encourages fans to collect these designs before they disappear.
Nintendo is reintroducing a series of icons for Switch Online in a promotion running from late December 2025 to early January 2026, featuring designs from popular games like Super Mario Galaxy, F-Zero 99, and Kirby, available for redemption with points on My Nintendo.
The article criticizes the new icons for utility apps in MacOS 26 Tahoe, describing them as poorly designed, unimaginative, and lacking in clarity, which reflects broader issues in Apple's design approach. The icons, unified by a wrench motif and constrained by system-imposed squircle shapes, are seen as lazy and unappealing, with specific examples highlighting their flaws and lack of meaningful symbolism. The critique suggests these icons symbolize a deeper decline in design quality at Apple.
Nintendo has added new Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door icons to its Switch Online 'Missions and Rewards' scheme, available in waves until May 2024. Players can redeem six character icons for 10 Platinum Points each, with additional borders and backgrounds for 5 Platinum Points each.
Google's Android 15 Developer Preview 2 features new status bar icons that resemble Samsung's One UI design, with a segmented look and white and grey color scheme. The battery icon is now horizontal, allowing for the battery percentage to be displayed inside it. These icons are not live by default but may become default in the next beta version of the OS.
Nintendo has added a new batch of icons featuring Princess Peach to the 'Missions and Rewards' scheme for the Switch Online service, celebrating the release of Princess Peach: Showtime! These icons, backgrounds, and borders are available in waves until April 18th, and can be redeemed using Platinum Points.
Nintendo has released new Switch Online icons ahead of the release of the second DLC for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. These icons include characters, backgrounds, and frames, which can be redeemed using Platinum Points. The first wave of icons is available until December 14, 2023, with more waves to come in the future. The Pokémon Company also shared the final trailer for The Indigo Disk, showcasing Gym Leader fights, Blueberry quests, and Legendary Pokémon.
Nintendo has added a new batch of icons to its 'Missions and Rewards' scheme for the Switch Online service, featuring characters from Super Mario Bros. Wonder. These icons can be claimed using Platinum Points, with backgrounds and frames also available. The first wave of icons is available until October 26th, with more waves expected to follow.
The Louvre in Paris is exhibiting some of Ukraine's most treasured works of art, including 1,400-year-old Byzantine icons, that were secretly evacuated from Kyiv to shield them from the war. The exhibition highlights the role played by culture and heritage as Ukraine resists Russian attempts to deny both its past and present. The transfer of the Khanenko icons to France is part of a scientific project involving close collaboration between French and Ukrainian experts as much as it is a rescue operation.