Check out Android's funky new look, its first in 4 years

Google’s mobile operating system Android has updated its visual identity with a refreshed logo and a 3D take on its bugdroid hybrid bug and robot mascot. This comes as it looks to complement the Google brand palette in an adaptable manner.

With the new update, Android will be moving away from its longstanding lowercase stylisation of “android,” by capitalising the ‘A’ to add more weight to its appearance when placed next to Google’s logo. Its typeface has also been updated to include a curvier sans serif version of its predecessor with rounded letters to closely mirror Google’s logo while looking noticeably different from it.

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“We hope these small but significant updates to the Android typeface will better communicate the relationship between Android devices and the Google apps and services people already know,” said Jason Fournier, director of consumer brand management at Android.

While the lowercase ‘a’ is gone, its bugdroid mascot remains its official logo with more dimension in its new 3D look. Bugdroid will now be animated and be able to take multiple designs to be a visual signifier of how dynamic the Android brand is, added Fournier.

“We've also updated the robot’s full-body appearance to ensure it can easily transition between digital and real-life environments, making it a versatile and reliable companion across channels, platforms and contexts,” he said.

"The key decision to go 3D opened up new possibilities to make the robot playful, fun, and fresh. With this new 3D design, we have the flexibility to animate the robot, and bring motion and personality to Android’s presence at events like CES or MWC," said a spokesperson from Google to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.

The updated logo and 3D bugdroid will be rolled out on Android devices and in more places from this year, said Google. 

This brand refresh marks the brand’s first makeover in four years following its 2019 logo update. In 2019, the brand also changed the way it named its releases by doing away with its dessert themed naming tradition. The change was done to ensure its software updated could be understood easily by its global community, according to the brand. 

Android has also been expanding its presence in the APAC region with recently named Karen Teo as its new vice president of Android partnerships for the APAC region.

Teo took to her LinkedIn to announce the news on 3 July with a post and the caption, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a position as VP, Android partnerships APAC at Google. It's a privilege to join the ranks of the people before me who have built and grown Android to become the most used mobile operating system in the world, and I am excited to contribute alongside them.”

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