14 DAY TRIAL // Rumors are coming in from scattered users across the Internet, all reporting having seen a new UI for Google's main product, its search engine.
The new look closely sticks to the Material Design philosophy introduced over two years ago at the Google I/O 2014 developer conference.
As spotted in the wild, on Reddit and Twitter, the new Google Search Material Design interface comes with big changes compared to its current user interface.
Google tests gray background for its search engine
First and foremost, the new Google Search page will feature a light gray background instead of the usual white.
Search results will continue to be displayed vertically, but not blended in the rest of the page like before. In the new UI, search results will be placed inside a white box. As is with most Material Design elements, a small drop shadow will give it a light 3D impression.
Other major changes include the elimination of info cards, displayed until now to the right of your search results. These information cards will be moved inline with the rest of the search results, making them harder to spot.
The Google Search homepage has also received a redesign and will resemble its Android version, with very few elements and buttons.
Google tested a Material Design skin for YouTube
At the start of May, Google tested a Material Design UI for YouTube. The change never materialized, and you should not expect this one as well.
Google often tests redesigns only a limited userbase, but not all make the final cut.
The good, or bad news, depending if you like or hate the new design, is that this skin has been spotted as early as May 21 on Twitter, and as recently as yesterday by an Engadget staffer.
Previously, Google only tested the YouTube Material Design skin only for three days before removing the cookie trick that allowed anyone to see it.
