design evolution Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Gmail’s new Material 3 Expressive design is secretly hitting some inboxes

Google's Material 3 Expressive style is being integrated into Gmail, featuring a new interface with lighter, raised cards and rounded edges that enhance visual appeal. The design includes a vibrant color palette, making emails appear more layered and engaging. The rollout is gradual, with some users experiencing changes like the account switcher moving out of the search bar, while others have not yet seen this update. Additionally, a new pill-shaped button animation has been introduced for swipes, providing a fluid user experience with haptic feedback during notification dismissals.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Android and Wear OS are getting a big refresh

The introduction of Material 3 Expressive enhances customization options for Android devices, allowing for a more personal expression of style. It features natural animations that create delightful interactions, such as adjacent notifications responding when one is dismissed and providing tactile feedback through haptic rumble. This design evolution emphasizes both functionality and the emotional connection users have with their devices.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Microsoft reveals its rejected Start menu redesigns

Microsoft is redesigning the Start menu in Windows 11, introducing a wider layout that allows users to disable the recommended feed of files and applications. The company shared five distinct concept designs for the menu, including features like a rounded menu with widget-like functionality, a side-separated "For You" section, a landing page design, and a full-screen vertical layout. The design team engaged with over 300 Windows 11 enthusiasts to refine their concepts through co-creation calls and user feedback. The new Start menu aims to enhance app visibility, increase customizability, and ensure speed while maintaining familiarity. It will also include a phone companion panel for quick access to calls, messages, and files. Microsoft plans to test the revamped Start menu with Windows Insiders soon, with a broader rollout expected in the coming months.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

Windows 7 Elite Edition fixes Microsoft’s biggest Windows 11 mistake

Microsoft ceased support for Windows 7 in January 2020, leading to nostalgia among its users who appreciated its streamlined interface and reliability. Many users prefer the simplicity of Windows 7 over the modern features of Windows 10 and 11. The Windows 7 Elite Edition theme for Windows 11 aims to replicate elements of Windows 7, such as repositioning the Start menu and taskbar to the left. A video by Link Vegas provides details on the theme's transformations and a step-by-step installation guide, which involves meticulous file renaming and copying. Users need to gather specific resources to install the theme.

AppWizard

February 26, 2025

Messenger brings back iconic blue logo

In late 2020, the app underwent a redesign featuring a gradient of pink, purple, and blue, aligning with Instagram's aesthetic as part of a strategic initiative by Meta to unify its visual identity across platforms. The classic blue interface was reintroduced for loyal Messenger users, blending modern design with nostalgic elements.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Microsoft is now failing at designing consistent rounded corners for Windows 11

Microsoft is refining the design of Windows 11, particularly focusing on rounded corners in its interface. The latest update, Windows 11 24H2 Build 26120.3281, introduces even rounder corners for AI features like the Recall app and Click to Do integration, specifically for Copilot+ PCs. While the current design features subtle rounded corners, the upcoming design shows significantly larger and smoother corner rounding, creating a more visually appealing interface. However, inconsistencies remain, as not all elements have adopted the new rounded corners, resulting in a mixed aesthetic across the operating system. Microsoft is considering whether to standardize the corner radius or maintain varying levels of curvature for different elements.

AppWizard

May 10, 2024

Why does WhatsApp look different? Messaging app has a new design

WhatsApp has selected a new, unified green color scheme for its design evolution, incorporating neutral colors to create a more refined and modern aesthetic. The design team has also responded to user feedback by introducing a "darker" dark mode with deeper, richer tones to reduce eye strain in low-light environments.