Is it really as bad as it seems? On Friday, Google joined the trending disco ball icon craze affecting home screens globally. Following Spotify’s temporary disco ball app icon launch to celebrate its 20th anniversary, which received significant online criticism (with a few fans of kitsch), Google decided to join in the fun with its own disco ball-themed Android app icons.
Sameer Samat, head of the Android ecosystem, shared the update on X, stating, “Your wish is our command. Disco icons available on Pixel as of today… Are y’all sure you still want this?”
His post featured a screenshot showcasing a Pixel phone adorned with sparkling, disco-inspired icons, an aesthetic that dazzles as much as it perplexes.
These new icons can be accessed via Pixel’s custom icons feature, which offers various AI-generated styles for app icons. Previously, users could only adjust their icons by changing colors to align with the phone’s wallpaper and theme.
The custom icons feature debuted in March’s Pixel Drop, a series of feature updates for Pixel devices. It introduced a variety of app icon styles, including a hand-drawn “Scribbles” design, a gold “Treasure” look, and a colorful “Easel” aesthetic.
Earlier this week, Samat had playfully tweeted a mock-up of a disco ball-themed Chrome icon, asking if such an icon pack should be developed for Android.
As bizarre as it sounds, Google followed through with the concept.
Many users were critical of Spotify’s disco icon, labeling it unattractive. In response, the streaming service had to clarify that it was merely a temporary design. The company acknowledged, “Alright, we know glitter is not for everyone.”
Google, however, appears to have a different perspective. While its disco-themed icons may seem off-brand, they also introduce a playful twist to the home screen aesthetic. Interestingly, whimsy is trending among younger generations, as noted by The New York Times, reflecting their response to challenging times.
Reacting to Google’s release, X user and former Pixly co-founder Race Johnson humorously remarked, “When your home screen gets bottle service.” Another user chimed in, “Omg it’s awful. I’ll take it!”
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