[Sigia-l] Google introduces animated icons on homepage

[Ziya Oz]

Manu Sharma:

> Google Inc. is testing a new homepage design in Taiwan and Hong Kong

I read this a few days ago. Went to the pages referenced and was thoroughly
flummoxed by them. Why did they do it?

Like the Google Tools widget on this page:

<http://www.google.com.hk/ig?hl=en>

Design-wise, it's bizarre, especially given Google's previous record.

This is what Brin says apparently:

"We think [the new design] will be more appropriate for the local cultures,
and their context, and their broadband connections, which, for example in
Korea, are extraordinarily fast," Brin said, adding that response to the new
site designs had been "quite positive."

What cultural context is he referring to? Faster broadband connections
demanding animated icons? Hasn't he heard of 'carbon footprint' for god's
sake? :-)

Puzzlement.

--
Ziya

"Every problem comes from a solution."