In a recent turn of events, the tech community found itself abuzz with speculation regarding the future of Windows design, sparked by a humorous incident involving Ookla and Microsoft. Earlier this month, the two companies announced a partnership that positions Speedtest as the integrated network performance testing platform across Bing and Windows. This collaboration will enable Windows 11 users to conveniently check their internet speed directly from the taskbar, a feature that has been in the works since late last year.
Speedtest by Ookla has been part of Bing since 2023, but the latest integration marks a significant step forward for Windows users. The feature was initially made available to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel back in February, but it is the recent press release that has captured attention.
Unexpected Design Blunder
The stir was ignited when Rafael Rivera, a Windows Dev MVP and engineer, made a light-hearted remark about the user interface showcased by Ookla. His post on social media humorously suggested that Ookla had inadvertently leaked a glimpse of the Windows vNext UI, drawing attention to what appeared to be a macOS window nestled within the Windows taskbar.
Did Ookla just leak Windows vNext UI? https://t.co/UFyK5LMBlG pic.twitter.com/dbjUZWNrjE— @WithinRafael (April 21, 2026)Voir le tweet original
While Rivera’s comment was likely intended as a jest, it highlights the ongoing dialogue about design trends and user interfaces in the tech world. The image shared by Ookla, which seemingly incorporated elements from macOS, has drawn parallels to past incidents where companies have mistakenly featured competing operating systems in their advertisements. Notably, HP once showcased macOS in a laptop ad, and a recent Microsoft campaign for PC gaming featured Google Chrome pinned to the taskbar—an unusual choice given Chrome’s status as a competitor to Microsoft Edge.
As it stands, unless Microsoft has made significant design changes, the integrated speed test tool on Windows 11 is unlikely to resemble the mockup presented by Ookla. Should this indeed be a preview of the new Windows UI, it may warrant an urgent meeting between Microsoft and Ookla, with Apple potentially sending an invoice for the unintentional homage.
For those eager to engage in discussions about these developments, the community is invited to join the conversation on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral, where insights and opinions on the latest news and reviews are shared.
