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Leak points to major redesign in upcoming new version of Android

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:47PM EST
Android 4.5 Rumors

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Apple introduced a major reimagining of its mobile software last year when it released iOS 7, and since then the trend in mobile has been “flat.” Several companies including Samsung and HTC have flattened their user interfaces a bit since then, and they have also turned to the use of brighter colors to accent apps, just as Apple did in iOS 7. Now, it looks like Google may be planning to follow suit and offer a slightly flatter take on Android in an upcoming major redesign.

A leaked screenshot that supposedly reveals an upcoming version of Android code-named “Moonshine” shows a completely overhauled set of app icons. The icons have been flattened slightly and also redesigned to more closely match the icons Google uses on the web for its various services.

Here’s the screenshot in question:

Android Police says it received the leaked screenshot of an unreleased version of Android from “a source familiar with the new designs,” but the site also hedged a bit and noted that it isn’t entirely confident that the graphics pictured in the screenshot are final.

In addition to the home screen image, the site put together a graphic that shows eight of the new icons pictured alongside the corresponding current Android icons and Google’s web icons. That image can be seen below.

It is unclear if this new redesign will debut in Android 4.5 or in a later version of Google’s mobile platform.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.