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Google Homepage introduces dynamic themes
Any user of Google's web based offerings probably won't leap at the chance to nominate it for some flashy design award. Let's face it: Google is definitely known for doing function, and doing it well, but the company tends to shy away from rich color and shiny rounded corners because, well, that's just how they roll. That said, you can imagine our surprise today to discover dynamic themes in Google Homepage. There aren't many of them, in fact: pictured above is just one (called 'Bus Stop') of six available themes, but they all bring a very unique, colorful touch to Google's flexible and widgetized landing page service.
A new 'Select Theme' link has been added next to 'Add Stuff' on the right, under which the theme widget will temporarily open at the top right of the widget area. Selecting any theme will change your homepage to match, and once you click 'save' to commit, you'll be offered a Location box to enter or change your zip code, as every theme dynamically changes based on your location, time of day and (for some) even local weather conditions. This is perhaps one of those over-the-top touches Google is known for, but it adds such an interesting layer of creativity to a functional service.After the jump, check out screenshots of all the themes in action, though note that they were snapped at 7:23am Mountain Standard Time in the US; they should all look at least a little different depending on where you are and what time of day when you go to actually play with them yourself.
Beach theme
City Scape - note that it's sunny in our screenshot, even though the thumbnail for the theme is a night shot. Already a good example of just how dynamic these can get.
Sweet Dreams - again, the sun is already up here, and this theme looks different from its thumbnail.
Seasonal Scape - it sure doesn't feel like winter in Colorado anymore, but Google Homepage apparently disagrees.
Tea House - we're definitely going to keep an eye on how this theme evolves over time, especially since it's probably the highest (in pixels) theme of the bunch.
City Scape - note that it's sunny in our screenshot, even though the thumbnail for the theme is a night shot. Already a good example of just how dynamic these can get.
Sweet Dreams - again, the sun is already up here, and this theme looks different from its thumbnail.
Seasonal Scape - it sure doesn't feel like winter in Colorado anymore, but Google Homepage apparently disagrees.
Tea House - we're definitely going to keep an eye on how this theme evolves over time, especially since it's probably the highest (in pixels) theme of the bunch.
Comments
23
Subscribe to commentsRuutMar 26th 2007 8:46AM
I use Internet Explorer 6.0 and Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 both on the Windows 2000 platform. In FF I can choose a theme and everything works fine (no matter if I use .uk, .com or .nl version of google). However in IE there is no button to add a theme (even if I refresh my cache and clear all cookies). If you reply to this post and say which browser and platform you use and if you see or do not see the theme button, we can quickly figure out which browsers and platforms are supported.
kaaMar 27th 2007 4:18AM
the "select themes" option comes if u change the country to US in your acount settings. guess they don't have all the info (zipcode) etc..for rest of the world :)
Spencer RosengartenMar 29th 2007 11:47AM
For those of you where the "Select Theme" link isn't visible - in my case, I had to widen the window sufficiently for it to appear. I hope that helps.
Spencer