Google Play goes gaga for triangles with new icons
While some folks may think icons are nothing more than fluff, they actually have huge significance. Your brain uses them for recall purposes, enabling you to quickly access your favorite apps. This is why I am not a fan of Microsoft's Live Tiles -- they are counter-intuitive, but I digress.
Today, Google announces new icons for all of its Play apps. Curiously, they are all triangular -- somebody in Mountain View, CA suddenly has a huge love for the three-sided shape.
"Whether you like watching Despicable Me on Google Play Movies and TV, streaming 'Sorry' on Play Music, battling your friend in Clash Royale on Play Games or reading John Grisham’s latest on Play Books, Google Play is your home for the best apps, games and digital entertainment. Since launching Google Play four years ago, we've always had dedicated apps in addition to the Google Play store. Today, all our icons are getting an update to provide a consistent look across the entire family of Play apps", says Jonathan Chung, Visual Design Lead, Google Play.
Chung further explains, "you'll start to see the new Google Play icons across devices and online in the coming weeks. We hope you’ll continue enjoying the Play family of products -- now with a new look".
I know what you are thinking -- by using all triangles, won't the app icons get mixed up in users' minds? Yes and no. Actually, the similarity will work in Google's favor. Users will easily recognize a Google Play app, and then differentiate based on color, content and text. The bold design should work well for the search giant.
What do you think of these new Google Play icons? Tell me in the comments.