Google has been trialling various tweaks to the Google Feed on Android over the last few months and these design changes could now be accompanied by a complete rebrand of the feature from what we now call the Google Feed to “Discover”.
Reports surfaced of the change via Reddit and XDA from users who noted the rebrand of the Feed in the Google app to “Discover.” Next to the new name, users also noted a new eight-pointed symbol as the tab’s icon. It would also seem that there is two versions of the bottom bar appear to be in testing, with one featuring just the icon and the other including a label.
In a move that shows the rebrand is in the later stages, 9to5Google were able to enable the latter iteration with the latest version of the Google beta app.
There is also a colored version of this icon when users open the search bar in which a prompt encourages users to “Check out Discover,” with a Google-colored version of the icon visible here.
The same icon had been previously seen with one A/B test of the Google Feed that features large topic bubble headers above every article. Functionality wise, it works the same as it currently does (bring back the swipe to remove Google!). Though Feed design features heavy shadowing that might be toned down in the final iteration.
If Google does rebranded Google Feed, then this would be the latest in a series of redesigns from what was originally the much loved Google Now.
Of course, we will be keeping an eye out for any announcements or updates as to when Google Feeds is updated permanently to Discovery.
I think its kinda related… My google feed widget has recently prompted me with an overlay, telling me that its going away soon and to get info like this i am to use the Google “At a glance” widget.