Google to users: Keep an eye out for our new sign-in page. It's faster, simpler
Google has already rolled out the new look on Android, when users add accounts, and on the Google App on iOS.
A new sign-in page design might seem like a minor event, but the change will affect over a billion people who use a Google account to sign in to its various apps, including Gmail, YouTube, Search, and the Play Store.
Google says it decided to change the sign-in page to bring a consistent look across phones, tablets and the desktop.
It also describes the new design as offering a cleaner look and a faster sign-in compared with the existing feature. People will see it when they're logging in from a Google app or via a browser such as Chrome.
However, the process to sign in won't itself change and will still require typing in an email address and password.
If you sign in to a Google account today, you should see a notification at the bottom of the existing log-in page flagging a "new look for sign-in coming soon".
"We're making it faster and easier to sign in to your Google Account," the message says ahead of a link to a new support page explaining the change.
The new sign-in design takes its lead from the interface it uses for adding accounts on Android, Google product manager Rodrigo Paiva told VentureBeat.
Paiva said the new sign-in will automatically resize and adjust orientation based on the screen being used. It will be the same system for mobile and the desktop.
Google has already rolled out the new look on Android, when users add accounts, and on the Google App on iOS.
Two cases where users may still see the old sign-in page is if they use an older version of a browser, or if JavaScript has been turned off.
Given the persistent threat of phishing attacks against Google's billion users, it probably is a good idea for Google to warn people to expect a slightly different-looking sign-in page.
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