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googleblog.blogspot.com — You may have noticed that Google has a new favicon, the small icon you see in your browser next to the URL or in your bookmarks list. Some people have wondered why we changed our favicon -- after all, we hadn't in 8.5 years(!). The reason is that we wanted to develop a set of icons that would scale better to some new platforms like the iPhone
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- gamekid, on 06/07/2008, -11/+39I was thinking that it was because I was trying Ubuntu for a while today and they sent different icons for different OSs.
Guess it was just a coincidence.- keeperofkeys, on 06/08/2008, -3/+5Yeah, the change happened the day I installed Googlebar Lite (there still being no official Google Toolbar for Firefox 3); I assumed the toolbar was somehow injecting its own favicon into google's pages.
Can't say I like it much. That g is a bit skinny and insubstantial-looking; the old G had more weight and seemed somehow more authoritative.- sarixe, on 06/09/2008, -0/+6could it be because it was capitalized?
- keeperofkeys, on 06/09/2008, -0/+2Well, indeed. How is it, though, that what seems obvious to us has eluded the Google design team? (Either that or they now want to be seen as less authoritative...)
- sarixe, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1lack of testers!
- sarixe, on 06/09/2008, -0/+6could it be because it was capitalized?
- Alegoo92, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7Irrelevent, but the same thing happened a good few years ago when I went to Florida. Two TV stations changed their logos on the week that I was there, and thought that different locations received different little details like a logo.. then found it was a funny coincidence when I returned to PA.
- keeperofkeys, on 06/08/2008, -3/+5Yeah, the change happened the day I installed Googlebar Lite (there still being no official Google Toolbar for Firefox 3); I assumed the toolbar was somehow injecting its own favicon into google's pages.
- pies, on 06/07/2008, -3/+159I liked the old logo better. Try more iterations with the lowercase 'g', colored backgrounds etc. The third from the left in first row is also pretty good.
- xkingADROCKx, on 06/08/2008, -0/+92Agreed. The old favicon was alot better. The capital 'G' was alot clearer, the new one just looks like a squiggle in my browser.
- Crazymaniacc, on 06/08/2008, -6/+2you're obviously using the wrong browser, looks fine here
- xkingADROCKx, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2What's your screen size?
- Crazymaniacc, on 06/08/2008, -6/+2you're obviously using the wrong browser, looks fine here
- webkami, on 06/08/2008, -1/+5third one reminds me of
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/Geo_ ... - elbekko, on 06/08/2008, -1/+42The old one was indeed better. This one sucks.
- spectre_25gt, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8I had been thinking about writing them and telling them so, but now I'd feel like a jerk.
- theodenking, on 06/08/2008, -0/+19Agreed. And after eight years with the old one I'm so used to it I have trouble finding tabs with searches in them.
- BearinG, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1it needs to have another more colorful background or something more obvious.. I had trouble getting used to this too, finding my tabs.. not my favorite..
- withears, on 06/08/2008, -2/+6Now instead of saying that I'm going to "Google" something, I say "I'm gonna tickle my g-spot."
- DivisibleByZero, on 06/08/2008, -0/+8I think I more closely associate the capital G with google than the lowercase, but that may change with time.
- xkingADROCKx, on 06/08/2008, -0/+92Agreed. The old favicon was alot better. The capital 'G' was alot clearer, the new one just looks like a squiggle in my browser.
- RogueMountie, on 06/08/2008, -8/+462I prefer the capital G.
- KoZo, on 06/08/2008, -46/+2Capitol G
- zwaldowski, on 06/08/2008, -0/+22Wrong capitol, idiot.
- DrummerAndrew, on 06/08/2008, -12/+6Might Obama say that?
"I'm headed to the Capitol, G."
- dev3, on 06/08/2008, -7/+42I prefer OGC
- maninalift, on 06/08/2008, -8/+4Isn't that some kind of government department? (in the UK)
- Puppetfunk, on 06/08/2008, -1/+19No, but everyone in the Government is one.
- Shaunzio, on 06/08/2008, -1/+3oooo snap iz ON!
- GentleFood3, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3http://www.ogc.gov.uk/
- maninalift, on 06/08/2008, -8/+4Isn't that some kind of government department? (in the UK)
- Culyt, on 06/08/2008, -6/+8I preferred any of them, the current one is the absolute worst. Some of the ones with 3d blocks are kind of crappy and didn't make sense, unless they switch their logo (or rather actually get a logo, coloured letters don't count).
None of them particularly stand out, maybe they should rotate the "Google" letters 45 degrees and try cramming the whole word in such a way its recognisable.
They should also consider an animated icon for Firefox.
☢- oneoverzero, on 06/08/2008, -0/+12An animated icon. Now that wouldn't be obnoxious. Not at all.
- didd, on 06/08/2008, -0/+0They did do this. First on the bottom row.
- parallax7d, on 06/08/2008, -3/+7Yes, because it's easily identifiable, established, and if you've never seen it before it makes sense. The lower case purple g doesn't make any more sense then a little picture of a duck. It would only make sense if "Google" were going to change their name to "gle". Google has been making some awkward missteps with their UI design lately.
- antonio97b, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2UI design? It's a freakin search box, two buttons and the "google" logo.
What is there to change but the favicon?
- antonio97b, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2UI design? It's a freakin search box, two buttons and the "google" logo.
- Ubertastic, on 06/08/2008, -1/+16When I read your comment, I immediately thought of Capital G, by Nine Inch Nails. Unrelated, I know.
- danr2c2, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2No way, the one that's all bunched up is obviously the best. It just makes it so fun; like they tried to fit the whole word in a little box.
a la Chris Farley:
Fat Logo, Little Box!- ModernGeek, on 06/09/2008, -0/+2I agree, the little g sucks, the one with the letters cramped up or the old one are by far the best. It needs to have at least all of their colors in it. I think the old capital G had different colors for each side of the box around it or something.
- ChromaVita, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4I agree. It's so much harder to find the tab I have open for google. The old one was so easily Identifiable I could find the tab no problem. This one is hard to find. Go back to the capital G.
- Crazymaniacc, on 06/08/2008, -4/+4I think it's rly good actually, very web 2.0 like, the capital G is just too simple
- MrMax99, on 06/09/2008, -0/+3i think its ugly
- KoZo, on 06/08/2008, -46/+2Capitol G
- 2Deluxe, on 06/08/2008, -2/+116I honestly don't like the new one.. a lower-case g doesn't really work properly so small. It's wiry and thin and there are some other far more interesting and probably effective designs here on their demo sheet. http://bp1.blogger.com/_7ZYqYi4xigk/SEnK37orPGI/AA ... The [G] with a coloured background is probably my favourite.
- alexforcefive, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7Yeah, but not the multicoloured backgrounds. Eww.
I also like the one that looks like a copyright symbol (bottom row), but I guess it would have been a bad choice :D - HonoredMule, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1I most like the iterations of colored capital G on white background. The transparency drastically reduces distinctiveness on Firefox's tabs, and indeed, the small g does just look like a squiggle.
- alexforcefive, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7Yeah, but not the multicoloured backgrounds. Eww.
- rewindforward, on 06/08/2008, -14/+174The new one is ugly in my opinion.
- G-RaZoR, on 06/08/2008, -1/+9agreed.
- TheThirdLevel, on 06/08/2008, -2/+8I don't think its ugly, but it makes less of an impact than the old one.
- rollerboy, on 06/08/2008, -1/+12It is not very "Google", I would think google would come up with something way better.
- Alegoo92, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Why? Their logo always kind of has been simple/boring.
Not that I dislike it.
- Alegoo92, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Why? Their logo always kind of has been simple/boring.
- LoungeActx, on 06/08/2008, -1/+13The lower case "G" with a multicolor background is difficult to pick up on. The old upper case on white was perfect. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.
- PhireN, on 06/08/2008, -1/+88I know, It was driving me crazy. I couldn't find any of my google tabs.
- ericthegreat, on 06/08/2008, -0/+264Even though it's part of the Google logo it really looks nothing like their brand. They really should just polish up the good old capital G.
- BrendanSheehan, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7Yeah exactly, part of me thinks they made the new one bad intentionally get a lot of interest in something which should otherwise be forgotten about.
- coldguy07, on 06/08/2008, -60/+0prefer the old logo..
http://magnetic-bracelet-therapy.blogspot.com/ - Dazer, on 06/08/2008, -1/+32Really not a big fan of the little blue g. Rather have a red one if they are going to choose that icon...
- D14BL0, on 06/08/2008, -26/+21I like the new icon, myself. Honestly, I got tired of the same old thing for so many years. It's nice to see it modernized a bit.
- 007isbond1, on 06/08/2008, -16/+3agreed *nods*
- sg7791, on 06/08/2008, -3/+12What? A different opinion? You must be dugg down.
- zebco, on 06/08/2008, -7/+3Modernized in what way? Just because it's been 'updated' by no means suggests it's been 'modernized.'
What? Throwing a flare or a glare on there is making it modern?
I think not.
The Apple brand says 'modern' to me. Google says 'elementary school design.'
- kecebongsoft, on 06/08/2008, -14/+4I'd like to see they favicon always changed depends on what day they're celebrating about. Just like google logo's that always different in historical day such as christmas, etc..
- YoctoYotta, on 06/08/2008, -1/+8Yeah, that will really help usability . . .
- Pitfan, on 06/08/2008, -15/+10I guess this proves that no matter what you change, no matter how small, 90% of the populace will complain about it for a month.
- ErikHK, on 06/08/2008, -1/+9I for one wouldn't have complained if they switched to another logo with the capital G, like the one with the blue background.. But the one they have now is really weird looking, and it's kind of fuzzy too because of its size.
- godmode, on 06/08/2008, -1/+57Jeebus, those are some ugly icons.
- Snakedal337, on 06/08/2008, -1/+54When I think google I don't think of a small little g, infact it threw me way off. Bring back the capital!
- ysss, on 06/08/2008, -9/+194Stylized Capital G = Google.
weird lowercase g = giggity giggity- G-RaZoR, on 06/08/2008, -2/+31allllright
- saffyre9, on 06/08/2008, -1/+13I don't mind the lowercase g, however the colour needs some work. It appears to be a bit purple-ish, not the pure blue that one normally sees in Google logos.
- nate263, on 06/08/2008, -3/+2My favorite is the bottom row, fifth from the left. It retains the Google color scheme without being too complicated, and it still provides a change.
- mediaspree, on 06/08/2008, -5/+121lowercase g is epic fail. when seeing it in my tabs I went "What is that" rather than "oh that is google"
- Piontek, on 06/08/2008, -7/+4i like the "Goo ->" one :)
- bennjammin, on 06/08/2008, -12/+2theyve been having different logos for like every little holiday imaginable latley
- AndrewDB, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4On the photo in the blog, I like the 11th and 12th over on the fourth row.
The ones that sort of resemble Trivial Pursuit icons. - crazysamz, on 06/08/2008, -9/+3It's just like Nine inch nails said in their song- "Capital G" from the album Year Zero (I'm not advertising NIN, their just an awesome band and that song came to mind while reading the comments) (Oh yeah and the capital G on the 2nd row, 8 G's in, I think is nice)
- wTheOnew, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Do you actually know what they were referring to when they say 'Capital G'?
- AlgnPelotudo, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3looks like he doesn't
- wTheOnew, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Do you actually know what they were referring to when they say 'Capital G'?
- FishThePirate, on 06/08/2008, -0/+30New icon is not very good. It sort of pisses me off a little even, whenever I see it. Like, who the hell thought that was a good looking design?
- hogar983, on 06/08/2008, -10/+63the new favicon sucks so much I'm thinking about switching to yahoo...
- TomTruelle, on 06/08/2008, -0/+33thats a bold statement
- ileftfark, on 06/08/2008, -2/+42"That's it! I'm moving to Canada!"
- FishThePirate, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7Someone at Google corp. is reading this and trying to figure whether or not you're serious.
- Rocco03, on 06/08/2008, -0/+15I hope they fired the guy who made the 5th from the last row.
What is that, Windows 3.1? - LexisNexis, on 06/08/2008, -3/+57***** THING SUCKS! The new logo reminds me of a cold, sterile hospital.
- tylerjwilk, on 06/09/2008, -4/+0anyone else think of bill o'reilly there...? no?
- kevyn, on 06/10/2008, -0/+1I think you need to get out more...
- Faasnat, on 06/08/2008, -3/+6Not sure if I like the new favicon, but I like the ref. to Dr. Seuss in the title of the post!
- BillDoE, on 06/08/2008, -5/+8What a waste of time and money.
- lacie2lc, on 06/08/2008, -1/+6I like it, even if i might be alone with my opinion :D
- arma, on 06/08/2008, -0/+10Capital G would be so much better, ah well, meanwhile digg's favicon rocks my socks : D
- benitojuarez, on 06/08/2008, -7/+1Im tired of evryone sucking apples dick, im STILL waiting for a gmail client for the q.
- MattBot5000, on 06/08/2008, -3/+3Thankfully we all have Greasemonkey to restore the old favicon...right?
- hiro, on 06/08/2008, -3/+3Why the hell would you have google as a bookmark, noone have the toolbar?
- ajzahir, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1Gmail
- libertao, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Gmail's bookmark is a different favicon. Anyway, with gmail manager/notifier you don't need a bookmark either.
- keeperofkeys, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1Actually there's something weird goes on with the gmail favicon, now you mention it. I wanted to look at the new Google one in context, so started to type "google" in the Awesome Bar® in Firefox 3. The first link that appeared was gmail, so I clicked it, got the new google icon with a blue halo around it - which I *think* is FF3's way of telling you you're visiting a secure site; probably why google went for blue on white rather than white on blue - then after a few seconds, but while Gmail was still loading, the favicon changed to the familiar red gmail envelope, first on white, then with the blue halo again (perhaps when my secure preference in CustomiseGoogle kicked in?)
- libertao, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Gmail's bookmark is a different favicon. Anyway, with gmail manager/notifier you don't need a bookmark either.
- andyroo316, on 06/08/2008, -0/+10What year are you living in? Favicons appear in a lot more places than the bookmarks - if you have a tabbed browser (which you should do), most have a little favicon on each little tab. Also, they appear to the left of the address in the address bar when a page is loaded, whether it's in your bookmarks or not...
- Hello1024, on 06/08/2008, -0/+7Most people don't like toolbars, even if they are googles because they take up screen real estate, reduce the stability of the browser and use up more resources.
You can have Google as a default search engine in all modern browsers, and the extra features offered by the toolbar are useful but not groundbreaking.
- ajzahir, on 06/08/2008, -1/+1Gmail
- FXPooky, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Anyone have a direct link to where I can download it to replace the hideous favicon in the Firefox 3 search box?
- DixonPro, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Favicon replacement script - http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/27548
Greasemonkey for Firefox 3 beta - http://www.sizzledcore.com/2008/06/07/greasemonkey ... - FXPooky, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2No I just need the .ico for the favicon so I can replace the one in the search bar. I don't like the old one, it looks 90's ish.
- DixonPro, on 06/08/2008, -0/+4Favicon replacement script - http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/27548
- ileftfark, on 06/08/2008, -0/+11WTF is with the very last one? Broken Rubik's cube = Google? These icons are on the whole, very very *****. If I actually believed for a second they'd consider user-submitted icons (yeah, I know what they say), I'd give them a few ideas that at the very least, wouldn't be a ***** child's building block with a "G" on it. Jesus.
- andyroo316, on 06/08/2008, -1/+0I don't mind the multi-coloured ones with a white capital G in them - it's almost like a progression from the old version, at least. I might use one of those with a greasemonkey script...
- jockser, on 06/08/2008, -10/+2G => g => j => obvious that Jews control Google and that is why you should elect omaka!
If you digg this three times and shout to four friends you would get an increase of 14% to your popular ratio.
else your phone will lulz.- Hello1024, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I don't know if I should dig you up or down for that!
- jockser, on 06/09/2008, -0/+1I prefer down
- Hello1024, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I don't know if I should dig you up or down for that!
- iJessicaRabbit, on 06/08/2008, -2/+4They should create a way for us to choose... maybe an option in igoogle? Does greasemonkey have a script?
- phoenixm4, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3I never really paid attention to it anyway, but the new one is pretty nice.
- dariotjuh, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3The proof that change isn't always a good thing...
- Soave, on 06/08/2008, -0/+5Even the Favicon Mobile one (white g on blue background) looks better. I think I would prefer any of the four white G's with red/blue/yellow/green backgrounds.
Or you know, just the old one again. - parallax7d, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2another example of a poor decision as a result of a rigorous, yet misguided process
- HorseloverFat8, on 06/08/2008, -0/+2Bring back the Capital G favicon!
- Bognar, on 06/08/2008, -0/+3Dugg for Gg
- zebco, on 06/08/2008, -1/+2Isn't the entire Google aesthetic a bit....common? I understand the need for simplicity with the home page but there are LOTS of ways to make something simple yet still exciting and groundbreaking. Look at the Apple aesthetic. A 3rd grade student could have designed the overall feel.
Proof positive that something doesn't have to be designed on a higher level to become popular, I suppose. I still think the overall feel of Google is generic even though it's a seriously functional brand. - PicklePower, on 06/08/2008, -2/+13I think Google is trying to change it just for the sake of change. It was pretty perfect as it was; I say leave it alone.
- aserer511, on 06/08/2008, -11/+1ugh
most of those are
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..................................., - Zackypooh, on 06/08/2008, -5/+1Why is there no 6?
- ladbrooks, on 06/08/2008, -9/+0the new favicon sucks so much I am thinking about switching to yahoo
- TetchyTony, on 06/08/2008, -5/+0'orrible. But maybe it's a copyright thing - the big G belongs to something else, or is too generic - whereas the lowercase g typeface is individual enough to copyright worldwide. Especially as the 'country' now seems to appear as a subscript to the g. I doubt if they'd get it as wrong as it seems.
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