14 DAY TRIAL // It looks like Google recently made some changes to its lineup of services and apps in order to remain competitive on the Android market.
Well, the search giant will always be among the most relevant companies in the Android space, but that's because Google always adapts to remain one step ahead of the competition.
In a move that seems to be more defensive than aggressive, Google apps and services that are coming on most Android smartphones and tablets by default have been updated with splash screens that show an oversized Google logo.
The new changes have been spotted by Forbes, which also points out that Google has also updated its application design guidelines with the following paragraph:
“Branded launch screens are a good way to portray a brand while the app is loading. Take advantage of the loading time to display your logo or other elements that improve brand recognition. Avoid using text on this screen except your logo and, if applicable, a tagline.”
The changes that will put Google's logo onto its Android apps have already been rolled out globally, but it will take some time until they reach all regions.
We can confirm that the splash screen for apps like Drive, Docs and Sheets have already been tweaked to show Google logo.
Is this the right move for Google?
Google's decision to put its logo on the splash screen of its Android apps is rather strange because the search giant was against this practice until recently.
Since adding a splash screen to an app will prolong the time it takes for that app to open, Google discouraged this practice in its previous Android versions, even though some games and apps developers introduced them.
The reason Google included these splash screens into its apps might be a direct result of Microsoft's assault on Android market. The Redmond-based company launched a plethora of great apps on Android, which were previously only available to Windows Phone users.
It remains to be seen if and how this change will affect Android users, but for now, expect your apps made by Google to take slightly longer to open.