GoKawiilApple’s Liquid Glass user interface has met with what can best be described as mixed reactions by the company’s own customers – but that seemingly isn’t deterring Google from … being inspired by it.
After last month teasing that this is going to be one of the biggest years for Android yet, the company generated considerable commentary when it officially announced an Android event with a figure looking exceedingly Liquid Glass-like …
Google uses a 3D robot mascot to promote Android. This was informally known as “Bugdroid” before the company officially named it The Bot back in 2024. Android head Samir Sumaidaie this week posted a short video (below) showing The Bot transform from its usual green color to, well, what you see above.
The internet wasn’t slow to react. One of the first replies was from someone pleading with Google not to copy Apple with glass everything, and one X user went as far as using an AI-generated image to show a form of liquid glass on an Android phone.
Samat replied claiming this was “not happening,” but not everyone is convinced, with Macworld’s David Price among the skeptics.
[The video] shows Android’s green robot mascot pulling a cord and finding that it not only turns off the light in the room, but also makes the robot turn glassy, with a transparent glowing look that’s highly reminiscent of the new designs of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Over at our sister site 9to5Google, Ben Schoon takes a view somewhere between the two.
Google has invested heavily in its Material Design language on Android over the years, with its latest Material 3 Expressive evolution delivering a unique look and feel that Google found actually worked better for end users […] Google is expected to introduce more blur to Android 17, but blur and Liquid Glass don’t go hand-in-hand – Apple’s Liquid Glass design is more than just UI blur.
What’s your view? Is Google copying Apple’s homework just like Samsung? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.