If you use Google apps on a tablet or smartphone (or on their website, actually) – things like Gmail for email, Google Drive for storing files online or the Google calendar app – you might have noticed some new icons.
Don’t worry – they haven’t actually changed things very much, they’ve just decided that we’ve all got used to the old icons for their apps so they want to confuse everybody by changing them, sorry “have a fresh and colourful new look”.
The new icons all use the same set of bright primary-ish colours, but the Gmail app is still basically an “M” and the Calendar app still looks a bit like a page from one of those rip-away day calendars. Personally, I preferred the old ones though. They were more different from each other, so it was easier to see which app you were opening.
There’s no standing in the way of progress though, so I guess I’ll just have to get used to them!
Another announcement from Apple
Every year, Apple launch new versions of their stuff – iPhones, iPads, Macs, other bits and pieces – at various points during the year. They usually have three events, where they make a big song and dance about their new stuff – one in spring, one in summer and one in autumn.
Except this year has been a bit different.
Rather than the usual one autumn event, there have already been two, and a third one’s happening tomorrow! Why? Probably (as with most things this year) because of Covid slowing everything down.
Now these “events” aren’t exactly roller-coaster rides of adrenaline-fueled excitement. Someone stands in a room and talks about sales figures for a bit, then they show off the new kit with arty photos and epic mood music… So I might give actually watching it a miss (although if you’re so inclined, it’s on at 6pm tomorrow night, and you can watch it live on Apple’s website). But I am hoping for one particular announcement this time…
Ever since the start of autumn, we’ve been waiting for the new version of macOS – the software that runs Apple Mac computers and MacBooks. We’ve had a sneaky peek at their work in progress, and it’s looking good. They’re making the Mac look and work a bit more like an iPad – which makes a lot of sense to me.
I’ll tell you more next week, but we’re hoping we’ll soon be able to finish something that my friend Ellen’s been working on… Watch this space.