The denizens of the Web are abuzz, speculating feverishly as to why Google has developed a new interactive logo on its search page that allows you to move a bunch of coloured balls around.
When you manoeuvre your mouse cursor around the logo, the balls move and spin around the page. Shake your mouse around and the logo goes a little crazy. When you don't move your mouse, the logo returns to normal.
Usually, Google changes its logo for a reason. For example, earlier this month, Google changed it to celebrate the discovery of the buckyball 25 years ago. One of the most celebrated Doodles saw Google change its logo into a playable game of Pac-Man, enabling a good few minutes of escapism from thoroughly tedious office tasks.
Softpedia has suggested that Google could be celebrating its birthday, although it was actually incorporated on 4 September. Softpedia also offers some theories about how Google's balls are generated. It's been reported that the logo could use HTML5, but, as some browsers can't run that, this is unlikely.
We're just as confused as you are. Have you got any more explanations regarding Google's interactive balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments 23
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jvbeagles 7 September, 2010 12:27
Why is it different in IE 8 than in Chrome? interesting...
billfred 7 September, 2010 12:31
cos IE sucks? How is it different? I really don't want to open it and find out.
anonymous 7 September, 2010 12:43
When I first saw it I naturally tried clicking on it and then right clicked on it to see what will happen: nothing. Since there's no explanation it kinda annoys me.
anonymous 7 September, 2010 12:48
In IE 8 the balls dont get bigger as they fly about, they stay the same size but work exactly the same. Curiouser and curiouser.
Anonymous 7 September, 2010 12:49
Doesnt work in IE6 at all.
anonymous 7 September, 2010 12:53
Do you think it could be something to do with them putting goole tv in the Sony Bravia.
I remember the Bravia advert form a few years back with the bouncing balls in San Francisco.
Bantu 7 September, 2010 12:55
I suspect it may be html 5 as our work IE 7 just display the standard google logo, while using firefox is fine.
anonymous 7 September, 2010 13:16
Maybe it will do something more tomorrow to explain the mystery.
Anonymous 7 September, 2010 15:57
There is specific code in the javascript to block IE9 completely. If you view this page from IE9 Preview it simply renders the standard Google page.
Anonymous 7 September, 2010 18:25
First thing I thought of was the Ishihara color test. Maybe the birthday of John Dalton?
Anonymous 7 September, 2010 20:47
It wasn't html5, check the coding, html4 plus javascript. In IE it doesn't work because IE is not advanced as it's competitors
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 05:15
I can only see the bouncing balls in Firefox (3.6.8).
Opera (10.61) shows the coloured Google (UK) logo
IE8 and Chrome both show the regular Google logo but in grey.
Very strange!
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 05:36
I rechecked Firefox and it too now has a grey logo - so the change must have taken place at 04:00UTC
FunkMaster 8 September, 2010 07:52
It's grey now for me ... but I did see the balls yesterday ... I think it has something to do with google promoting HTML 5
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 12:07
When you type in the search box the letters change to their normal colours with the first 6 letters you type.
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 12:40
i am gay
woodhouse 8 September, 2010 13:25
it was google's 12th birthday apparently...
woodhouse 8 September, 2010 13:25
it was google's 12th birthday apparently...
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 13:41
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! ITS A FUN, HARMLESS, INTERACTIVE GOOGLE DOODLE! DONT QUESTION IT, ENJOY IT!
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 13:45
new google doodle is AWESOME! type at least 6 characters in the little search box ( u dont need to actually search it or enter it ) and watch the gray letters go colorful! i think there isnt really anything its celebrating but i dont care. my first thought about what its about is : it looks kinda like Google is sad ( hence the gray ) and when u use Google ( typing things in the search box ) its happy again.. kinda like it knows its appreciated.
IM NOT CRAZY, IM JUST RANDOM :)
randomnotcrazy 8 September, 2010 13:50
i was the last two comments but then i created an account WOOHOO! IF YA WANNA SEE A COOL SITE, CHECK OUT : PIXIEHOLLOW, CLUBPENGUIN, MYSCENE, BRAINYQUOTE., AND AREA51 (the reason two of my websites i said r girly ones, is im a girl)
Anonymous 9 September, 2010 04:38
come to my website no person committee dot org .. all about how Google steals its ideas from college students who once held them in high regard
DN424 11 September, 2010 18:27
I thought the balls were a bit odd....