Microsoft Reveals New, Improved Blue e IE9 Logo
The icon that many Internet Explorer users will be clicking on for years to come.
Now that the Internet Explorer 9 beta is out for everyone on Windows Vista and Windows 7 to try, it's quite clear about what new direction Microsoft is taking with its new browser.
Not only is it hardware accelerated, it also tries to maximize the pixels dedicated to displaying the web. Along with this new design approach, Microsoft has made a new logo to help convey the new lightweight and slickness of IE9.
The logo itself, that blue "e", is the subject of a blog post on the IEBlog. First, a quick review of the evolution of the IE logos over the years:
For the transition from the logo used in IE7 and IE8, Microsoft has ditched the Helvetica font and has made its own custom one for a more lightweight letter.
"First, we defined a shape for the e that focused on clarity and legibility: a true circle. Then we examined the details of the e. By reducing the contrast in stroke weight, we made it appear much lighter weight than the previous logo. The updated logo has more open negative space (counters) that maintain their presence at small sizes. The counters in the previous logo were very closed and disappeared at small scale. With no obvious horizontal or vertical variation in the character, the fluidity of the form is emphasized. The result is a simple, more open letterform."
Microsoft also changed the orbiting ring for a tighter look.
"We also updated the orbiter. To make it feel more alive, a small amount of transparency was added, and the stroke contrast and size of the shadow were decreased. Whereas the IE7/8 orbiter stops short of connecting to the e on the upper right side, the updated orbiter makes a full, more continuous connection. The updated orbiter is proportionally smaller when compared to the e than was its predecessor. These new proportions give more emphasis to the e, and give the logo a stronger presence."
Evolving a logo is nothing new. Even Firefox went through a similar change. The IE logo, however, may be a bit more important since it's iconic in its representation of internet services, such as at internet cafes.
Tell us what you think of the new logo that you might be clicking on often (if it's your browser of choice).
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OH yea lets change the logo and leave the code the same so people think they are getting something else when it is all the same. -.-
lets hope its not just the logo thats changed...
I've IE9 beta installed, but that's all I have. Firefox 4 beta6 installed and in use here.
Eh, it's nice. I don't use ie anyways.
An updated logo is newsworthy? That's Apple- or Ubuntu-level hype.
OH yea lets change the logo and leave the code the same so people think they are getting something else when it is all the same. -.-
So I definitely not an IE fan, but the code is MUCH different than IE7/8. Same rendering engine maybe, but much improved code.
doesn't seem too different to me
Instead, it should look like a compass...
Instead, it should look like a compass...
Safari already stole that one =p
No matter what or how many "badge", "skin" or "suit" MS changes its IE software; as long that the programming code or any other critical functional system are not optimized, upgraded or changed for the best, a garbage will always be garbage.
Seriously, they took the time to write up a story about the IE logo being a lighter shade of blue.
Bored much?
looks like they moved backwards with the logo design
Some of the commentators here think it's the same code as in previous versions of IE. This is not the case. That is why the new IE has a score of almost 100% in the Acid3 test and have very reputable JavaScript performance as shown in SunSpider benchmark. This is not your grandfather's IE, but is it good enough to compete with the offerings from Mozilla, Google, Apple and Opera?
I like the old one better. Not that it matters much to me (Opera user).
I think this looks more like the IE5 logo.
They made it lighter.
How does this deserve an article of its own?
lets hope its not just the logo thats changed...
Fear not...they decreased the multiple by which Firefox out-speeds it....to a measly 6(?) anyway, its still a rather large number to even consider using it over Firefox or Chrome.
the light blue looks disgusting to me
Can't wait until websites shut off IE8 support. Buh-bye Windows XP for good!
I'm trying to sum up what I think of this... I dunno... I guess 'meh' fits the bill
In other news, my wife painted her nails a lighter shade of red.
I just uninstalled it,went back to 8, lots of pages had issues, misplace typng , weird, and I use Opera
In other news, my wife painted her nails a lighter shade of red.
Yes, but did she update her orbiters?
Actually the old one looks better. Still can`t figure out why ppl want to fix things that are done right from the first place ... in this situation the logo..
For what it's worth I actually enjoyed this article and looking into the logic behind their choices (since it actually does impact things way more than you'd realize). Admittedly I'm a graphic design major so I would, lo, but I'm not offended by tossing an article like this in once in a while.
I swear I saw that from an Icon website.
Really? We have an entire article about this?
It's bad enough that there's a full article on this "news", but did anyone actually read the very last line? Here it is: "Tell us what you think of the new logo that you might be clicking on often (if it's your browser of choice)." - - now, come on Tom's, do you really expect anyone to sit down and write a serious comment about a logo which has been simply re-tinted to look more washed out? But, I like you Marcus, so here it is: the logo looks good, but so did the one it replaces.
Nothing wrong with making mention of this, considering how many versions there have been up to this point, it's nifty to see the evolution of something small and how the little details improve it over time. logo 9 is an improvement over 7/8 but I still like the simplicity of 4/5 personally. Just give's it that classic look I prefer.
OH yea lets change the logo and leave the code the same so people think they are getting something else when it is all the same. -.-
Uh..... You do know that it uses the same java script engine as Opera. I am pretty sure that would take a major code overhaul.
Well, it is good that they are paying attention to visual aspects. I have been using it and like many others, I agree that IE has improved, I mean easily manageable download manager, more webpage space, separate windows for each tab are really a treat. However, they are only cues taken from other leading browsers. Do something new MS, and by that I mean for the better!