design shift Archives

Winsage

September 17, 2026

The real reason your Windows 11 taskbar couldn’t move for 5 years

Tali Roth, overseeing Windows core user experience, revealed that Windows 11 did not inherit significant portions of the legacy Win32 code, particularly affecting the taskbar's customization and repositioning features. Microsoft had to rebuild the taskbar from scratch, which complicated the ability to allow users to move it, as each application would need to adapt to such changes. Initially, the demand for a movable taskbar was low, but user feedback prompted Microsoft to reconsider. Similarly, the Start menu in Windows 11 offered fewer customization options compared to Windows 10 due to a design shift towards a minimalist aesthetic, making it difficult to reintegrate previous features. Microsoft is balancing user feedback with its design vision as it evolves the Windows experience.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

Windows Dark Mode finally gets dark dialog boxes

Microsoft's latest Preview build of Windows 11, version 26100.5061, has unified the dark theme by updating dialog boxes for file copying and deletion to match the dark aesthetic. However, some elements, such as buttons and certain dialogs in File Explorer, still reflect the older light theme. This update is being tested in Preview channels, with a broader rollout expected in the Windows 11 25H2 update in the latter half of 2025. Additionally, the upcoming July release will feature a redesigned black blue screen of death (BSOD), replacing the traditional blue background and sad smiley face with a black design that displays the relevant error code and driver name.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google unveils the most massive Android redesign ever

Google's new design language for Android, called M3 Expressive, focuses on enhancing user experience through color, shape, size, motion, and containment. This design aims to create a deeper emotional connection between users and their devices. M3 Expressive is described as Google's most rigorously tested design system, developed through 46 rounds of iterations and feedback from over 18,000 participants. The design allows users to identify key interface components up to four times faster than the previous Material 3 design, effectively bridging generational gaps in usability. Google will unveil this design transformation at the I/O developer conference.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Microsoft Edge drops yellow for folders (favourites), gets monoline transparent look

Microsoft Edge has updated to version 131.0.2903.112, introducing a design shift that replaces the yellow-themed favorites folders with a monoline, transparent aesthetic. This change has received mixed reactions from users, with some expressing ambivalence and frustration over the lack of customization options. A temporary workaround exists for reverting to the classic yellow folder icons by modifying the msedge.exe shortcut. Additionally, Microsoft Edge is set to introduce new features, including pop-ups to encourage users to set it as the default browser and enhancements like on-device AI capabilities and improved PDF reading with OCR technology.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

The YouTube TV app for Android gets the new PiP mini-player design

The YouTube TV app for Android has introduced a new mini-player design in version 8.47.0, featuring a picture-in-picture layout that enhances user experience. The updated mini-player includes a central play-pause button and controls for skipping forward or rewinding by 15 seconds. Users can return to the main screen by tapping the center button, and the mini-player allows for pinch-to-zoom functionality. While the default size remains small, the update aligns the YouTube TV app more closely with the overall YouTube ecosystem. Users have expressed appreciation for the intuitive controls, although some have noted the occasional return of the older mini-player style.

AppWizard

April 20, 2024

Google testing layout changes to the Phone app

Google is testing a new user interface for its Phone app, replacing the bottom bar with a hamburger menu icon. The new design features only Contacts and Voicemail options, raising questions about the absence of Favorites and Recents. The latest beta version of the app has unveiled this UI adjustment, but it is uncertain if it will be included in the final release.