Google Calendar: a new design and finally a dark mode for the web version 🌑

Cliquez ici pour lire en français

Google Calendar keeps evolving with a major update that introduces a new design inspired by Material You. But that’s not all—a highly anticipated feature has finally arrived: dark mode. This redesign follows the recent updates to other Google Workspace tools like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs.

A modernized and more accessible design 🖌️

Starting today, web users of Google Calendar can enjoy a revamped interface adopting the Material You design principles. Initially launched with Android 12, this visual language features rounded interface elements, soft colors, and enhanced visual consistency across Google Workspace tools.

Key highlights of this update include:

• Modernized controls: Buttons, dialog boxes, and sidebars have been reworked to be more intuitive and accessible.
• Optimized typography: Google has incorporated its custom fonts for improved readability.
• Sharper and clearer icons for better navigation.

The long-awaited arrival of dark mode 🥳

Dark mode, a long-requested feature, is finally here for Google Calendar. Users can now choose from three options:

• Light mode,
• Dark mode,
• Or follow the default theme of their device.

Dark mode enhances visual comfort in low-light environments and also helps save energy, especially on OLED screens.

To enable this feature, click on the settings icon in the top-right corner, go to the « Appearance » tab, and select your preferred option.

Watch out for Chrome extensions ⚠️

This update might disrupt the functionality of certain Chrome extensions designed for Google Calendar. Google advises affected users to report issues to the developers of the respective extensions.

Gradual rollout ⌛

The rollout of this update will follow two separate timelines:

• For Rapid Release domains: A gradual rollout starting October 23, 2024 (up to 15 days for full visibility).
• For Scheduled Release domains: A broader rollout beginning December 2, 2024.

Availability 👀

This Google Calendar redesign will be available to all Google Workspace users (businesses and individual subscriptions) as well as personal accounts.

With its new design and the introduction of dark mode, Google Calendar continues to establish itself as a key productivity tool, adapting to the expectations and needs of millions of users worldwide.

Do you regularly use Google Calendar to plan your days? If so, what do you think about this update? Share your thoughts in the comments!