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Google Testing New Search Interface for Tablets?

By | July 27, 2011 | 29 comments
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Some of you may have noticed that Google’s search page looks a little different on your iPad. Currently, Google is testing a new, simpler layout that some users may have access to.

The new layout is cleaner and less cluttered than what’s in use now, featuring single column search results rather than two columns of information.

Icons and links that are currently in the left hand column on the search results page have been moved to the bottom of the search bar, for a much more streamlined appearance.

Clean, crisp white pace has been added between results for a sleeker look that’s easier to use on a tablet screen. Links to cached versions of web pages have been removed, as has the “Goooooooooogle” image in the footer.

It’s unknown if this will be adopted as a new standard for tablets, or if it’s a limited test that may disappear without another word. Let us know in the comments if you’ve seen Google’s new layout for yourself.

[via Digital Inspiration]

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  • Vcferlita

    I noticed it this morning. At first I thought I broke something :) the layout is a less cluttered looking. I like it.

  • Vcferlita

    I noticed it this morning. At first I thought I broke something :) the layout is a less cluttered looking. I like it.

  • Vcferlita

    I noticed it this morning. At first I thought I broke something :) the layout is a less cluttered looking. I like it.

  • Anonymous

    it appeared briefly yesterday – now it is gone. i liked the new layout and interface for iPad search results. the preview themes available on the gmail site for PC web browsers don’t work well on notebook displays. i liked it when they ‘trimmed pixels’ and refined the ‘classic’ interface.

  • Anonymous

    Anyone know how to disable it in favor of a more condensed / less space hog listing?

  • Anonymous

    Anyone know how to disable it in favor of a more condensed / less space hog listing?

  • Hieric213

    I just got the new look this morning and it sucks. The font is far too large, there is too little info on the page. I have an ipad2, meaning I have plenty of screen real estate.

    Can I return to the old look?

  • Hieric213

    I just got the new look this morning and it sucks. The font is far too large, there is too little info on the page. I have an ipad2, meaning I have plenty of screen real estate.

    Can I return to the old look?

  • Tabitha

    I just noticed it and it reminds me of a mobile phone page, the pages I use to get when I went to websites before I used an iPhone and iPad. Maybe it’ll grow on me but for now I don’t like it.

  • Tabitha

    I just noticed it and it reminds me of a mobile phone page, the pages I use to get when I went to websites before I used an iPhone and iPad. Maybe it’ll grow on me but for now I don’t like it.

  • Fred Norris

    I don’t like the new search results at all. too much like the crappy mobile sites.

  • Unhappy

    This is horrible.
    If I wanted a look like this, I would use an app/ would click ‘mobile site’ But I am using safari, and therefore want my page to look like a NORMAL page. This layout makes all the text HUGE, with no option to zoom out. I really don’t like having to hold my iPad at arms distance to read the screen.
    Please be fair if you keep it, google, and let us have the option to view the webpage normally or in ‘mobile’ format.

  • Unhappy

    This is horrible.
    If I wanted a look like this, I would use an app/ would click ‘mobile site’ But I am using safari, and therefore want my page to look like a NORMAL page. This layout makes all the text HUGE, with no option to zoom out. I really don’t like having to hold my iPad at arms distance to read the screen.
    Please be fair if you keep it, google, and let us have the option to view the webpage normally or in ‘mobile’ format.

  • Bob

    Horrible. Way too big for iPad. Used to see almost all results on screen. Now I see half and scroll scroll. Pretty annoying, can’t even zoom out. Makes me think of grandpa’s “special” phone with four-inch buttons that he could see. They should get Fischer-Price to sponsor the new look.

    Please google, let ppl choose their version at least.

  • Terngurl

    It is horrible! Dumbed down results and stretched over too many pages. Going to explore other search engines until I get the old google back…hope they haven’t touched google scholar or I will be REALLY peeved!

  • VERY UPSET! I HATE IT!

    I don’t like it ALL! There should be an option for us mobile user to CHOOSE if we want this or not. Bring back the older, better google to us!!! The sooner the better!

  • Bluhammer

    I dislike this look on my iPad. Please bring the old google back to my iPad or at least give me a choice!

  • Dima08

    Wtf it’s horrible I loved google now I can’t even use it on my iPad it pisses me off!!! Fix it or give me a choice!!

  • Brked

    HATE the new format. I liked the cluttered look. It was one stop shopping. On the image page you could click on the image and get a small description. Now when I click it takes me to the page…so I am constantly back and forth. Really annoying. Also the similar feature is gone on website results. Font is too big and Ipad pinching is disabled. I’m sure there are other so called “improvements” that I would find a pain but not willing to “Google it” anymore. Off to find a better search engine. If the old format returns or an option to select it I’ll be back.

  • Yuck

    Dislike!

  • Ssscompany1

    Terrible change. I switched my engine to Bing as it looks more like the old google site. You would have thought they would have tested this with real customers before releasing. Inventors should be let go!

  • Ssscompany1

    Terrible change. I switched my engine to Bing as it looks more like the old google site. You would have thought they would have tested this with real customers before releasing. Inventors should be let go!

  • Pissed

    This is horrible and WAY TOOOOOO BIIIIG, unproductive, takes away the whole point of having chosen an iPad for Internet browsing, but what tops it all (for me anyway), is the arrogance (yes, just in case, let me say that again: the ARROGANCE) of not even bothering putting a word or two about it, so I wouldn’t waste precious time wondering what I might have done wrong to get this UGLY interface by trying to fix it… !!!! Total lack of respect.

    I’m sorry, what’s that? If you don’t like it don’t use it? Well don’t you worry about that, it’s already done!!

  • Pissed

    This is horrible and WAY TOOOOOO BIIIIG, unproductive, takes away the whole point of having chosen an iPad for Internet browsing, but what tops it all (for me anyway), is the arrogance (yes, just in case, let me say that again: the ARROGANCE) of not even bothering putting a word or two about it, so I wouldn’t waste precious time wondering what I might have done wrong to get this UGLY interface by trying to fix it… !!!! Total lack of respect.

    I’m sorry, what’s that? If you don’t like it don’t use it? Well don’t you worry about that, it’s already done!!

  • Sazwilliams

    I agree with the comments…..hate it and hate the fact it changed with no explanation and no choice . Back to previous layout ..this one sucks

  • Sazwilliams

    I agree with the comments…..hate it and hate the fact it changed with no explanation and no choice . Back to previous layout ..this one sucks

  • Walkingyourdog

    I also do not like the new look of google. The font is way too big and looks cheap. Please go back to the old font and setup google. The new version looks terrible.

  • Walkingyourdog

    I also do not like the new look of google. The font is way too big and looks cheap. Please go back to the old font and setup google. The new version looks terrible.

  • Vlaascho

    HATE the new format. Specialy on the image resultspage you could click on the image and get a small description and a reference to the sourch before you actualy opend the webpage with the image. Now,after the slightist touch, it takes me directly to the page without the option of opening it in a new tab! Also the zoom is not longer possible on my ipad, it was so easy to enlearge images for a better preview…. These things must be basic options! Untill these old features return I’ll have to use Bing, brrrr…. Normaly I love Google, but now :-(