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Google is tweaking the logos of several popular products in a bid to "streamline the user experience."

How a move to a logo with lowercase text and a uniform blue font streamlines the user experience is a bit beyond my powers of analysis, but Google's Marissa Mayer and Jamie Devine said in a blog post that at the moment Google logos for certain products are different shapes and sizes, and so moving to a consistent size, font, and style "should make it easier for you to recognize which site you are on and navigate to wherever … Read more

What's the difference between a Mac and a PC?

According to comments reportedly made by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer: $500 and a logo.

Ballmer, according to a report in TechFlash, issued his fighting words during his keynote speech at Media Summit 2009 in New York.

When asked about Apple's market share growth in computers, Ballmer reportedly responded with a barb to his competitor, according to TechFlash:

Apple gained about one point, but now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction.

The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment … Read more

Scanning over the Cnet News page, I ran across this series of photos:

In case you missed it, Altec Lansing has undergone a corporate makeover and is showing off a new logo along with several new products, including a pair of funky-looking PC speakers and a couple of sleek iPod speaker systems. We'll be getting review units in soon, and will actually have a full review of the new Orbit posting shortly.

Here's the rundown--and some links--for easy reading:

Two new inMotion iPod speakers from Altec Lansing

PC speaker-design alert: Altec Lansing goes mod with Expressionist Bass

Second Orbit: Altec Lansing's new iPod speaker

We doubt that it was done intentionally, but there's probably no shortage of conspiracy freaks out there who will claim that something sinister was behind the design of Belkin's new "Micro Grip" cases for the 3G iPhone. Either way, we do find it curious that it looks like a bunch of interwoven Zune logos.

And regardless of whether your alliances lie with Apple or Microsoft, the design of these cases seem dubious at best from both a practical and aesthetic standpoint. On the practical side, this kind of rubberized webbing appears to defeat the purpose of … Read more

AT&T is still struggling to convey the fact that it is a seamless blend of two companies--the "old" AT&T with Cingular. Cingular was a brand sensation, having been created out of whole cloth and gaining massive market and mindshare in a very short amount of time. I remember the first time I saw an ad for it, in a subway station in San Francisco, and was struck by how fresh it was, from the name to the color to the lively logo. At the time I knew nothing of its provenance (a merger of … Read more

Normally we wouldn't torment you with an eBay auction that's already ended, but we've learned over the years that practically anything about Apple is worth mentioning--even used sneakers.

After seeing all manner of Mac tattoos, haircuts and other signs of affection, we're accustomed to seeing the familiar logo pretty much anywhere. The only thing that's somewhat surprising is that image-obsessed Apple allowed the hallowed icon to be used on something as easily soiled as footwear, even for just prototypes. (Then again, it was done during the non-Jobs years.)

Whatever the case, this size-8.5 promotional … Read more

If the standard silver or black (and the occasional pink) of Kodak's cameras aren't enough for you, then you're in luck. Kodak has announced a partnership with SkinIt, a company that makes custom vinyl skins for gadgets. According to a recent announcement, SkinIt will offer exclusive skins for 28 different Kodak EasyShare digital cameras, ranging from sports logos to bands to comics. SkinIt will also offer custom skins from users photos. SkinIt vinyl skins for Kodak EasyShare cameras will ship next year and retail for $10 and up.