Google’s attention to detail – down to a single pixel

Good UX Means Good Business

In a world where technology is rapidly advancing and user expectations are rising, it’s no longer enough to have an average user experience; to delight your users and surpass your competition you must strive for the exceptional.

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I have always been impressed with Google’s attention to detail.  The custom yellow shell around the Google Search Appliance is completely useless, but I suspect it has enhanced the value of their trademark.  GMail’s reminder when you mention an attachment in your message but forget to actually attach a document is downright useful.
Two recent examples caught my attention, and even made me chuckle a little.
Moving Shadows
Last year Google upgraded the desktop version of Google Maps to use vector rendering instead of static image tiles.  It improved the performance but also allowed for some cool 3D rendering tricks.  Have you noticed that the 3D shadows cast by buildings and tall monuments change throughout the day according to the sun’s position? Static shadows look static. Dynamic shadows look real.  Or just cool, like that magical map in Harry Potter.    (via. http://kottke.org/14/05/google-maps-impressive-attention-to-detail)
 
Pixel Peeping
Google’s logo has changed many times — from 3D to flat (and everything in between).  Last week they moved two letters around by a single pixel.

Kerning is important, and I do agree that the change looks better, but corporate logos don’t change very often, and it’s usually a big deal when they do.  Google was willing to change their logo for an arguably very small change, and I respect that.  It’s that attention to detail that makes Google unique.  (via. http://gizmodo.com/google-changed-its-logo-this-weekend-and-you-didnt-even-1582005359)