Google Calendar on the web is finally receiving a much-needed refresh, bringing not just one, but three exciting updates: a Material You redesign, improved accessibility, and the star of the show – a dark mode. This major update will roll out over the coming weeks, transforming the web interface to offer a more modern and user-friendly experience.
Google Calendar adopts a dark theme
One of the biggest additions to Google Calendar’s web version is the introduction of a dark theme. The long-awaited dark theme feature now offers users three customizable theme options: Light, Dark, and Device default.
Users can easily adjust these options through the Settings gear icon, just note that it may not be available for everyone yet. Dark mode, in particular, offers relief in low-light environments. It reduces eye strain, enhancing user comfort. For years, many users complained about the lack of a dark theme. This issue became especially prominent after Google Calendar’s mobile version launched in 2019.
The redesign clearly reflects the influence of Material You. The calendar’s main view now resides in a container with rounded corners. Meanwhile, the top and sidebars are set against a soothing light blue background.
Google introduces Material You design changes
Google Calendar’s redesign includes a host of new visual elements tied to the Material You design language. This includes updated buttons, dialogs, and sidebars that are more accessible. The typography has been revamped as well, using Google’s highly legible custom typefaces, which make reading and navigating the interface easier. Iconography also received an update, with crisp and legible visuals that contribute to the overall clean interface look.
Material You changes align Google Calendar with other Google Workspace apps, creating a more cohesive experience across platforms.
With the rollout of the new Material You design and dark theme, Google warned users about potential issues with Chrome extensions. Some installed extensions may not function as expected. The technology sector giant suggests reaching out to developers of these extensions to address any problems.
