Google accidentally reveals details about its new Android design language, Material 3 Expressive

Tech Crunch - May 5th, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

Google is set to unveil a new iteration of its Android design language called 'Material 3 Expressive' at the upcoming Google I/O developer conference. This development was hinted at in an event schedule and an accidentally published blog post. The update focuses on creating interfaces that emotionally connect with users, featuring bold use of shape and color to enhance user experience. The new design aims to improve usability, especially for older adults, while respecting established design standards. Developers attending the conference will learn to implement these new design patterns to boost app engagement and usability.

Material Design, first launched in 2014, has been a pivotal framework for Android app development, influencing visual, motion, and interaction design. Its next major update, Material You (or Material 3), was introduced in 2021, offering adaptive interfaces for personalized experiences. Material 3 Expressive is an evolution of this, focusing on expressiveness and performance enhancements. The significance of this update lies in its potential impact on how developers create and customize apps, ultimately shaping the user experience of Android devices. Google plans to provide developers with resources and code at the conference, paving the way for future innovations in app design.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively reports on Google's upcoming announcement of the Material 3 Expressive design language, providing accurate and timely information supported by credible sources. It clearly outlines the design's focus on emotional connection and usability, making the content accessible to a broad audience. However, the story could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including insights from independent experts or developers. Additionally, providing more detailed explanations of technical terms and exploring potential challenges or drawbacks could enhance the article's depth and engagement. Overall, the article succeeds in informing readers about a significant update in the tech industry, while leaving room for improvement in perspective diversity and technical clarity.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate, with several key claims supported by external sources. The announcement of the Material 3 Expressive design at Google I/O is corroborated by the event schedule and a leaked blog post, both of which are referenced in multiple reports. The description of the design's focus on emotional connection and the use of bold shapes and colors aligns with the details from the leaked post. However, the story could improve by providing more specifics on the implementation and exact changes, which remain somewhat vague. The story's factual basis is strong, but some claims, like the exact impact on usability and performance, would benefit from further verification.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of Google's design update, focusing on both the potential benefits and the challenges. It highlights the positive aspects, such as improved usability and emotional connection, while also acknowledging that expressive design isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. However, the story could include more perspectives from independent experts or developers who might offer insights into potential drawbacks or limitations of the new design system. Including such viewpoints would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the update's implications.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly conveys the main points about Google's design update. It logically outlines the announcement, the design philosophy, and the potential impact on usability and accessibility. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the content easy to understand. However, the story could benefit from more detailed explanations of technical terms or concepts for readers who may not be familiar with design language specifics.

8
Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including Google's own blog post and the event schedule, which are authoritative on the subject. The story also references 9to5Google, a reputable tech news outlet, for the initial discovery of the blog post. While these sources are reliable, the article could enhance its credibility by incorporating input from independent analysts or industry experts to provide an external perspective on Google's claims and the potential impact of the design changes.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in citing its sources, such as the Google blog post and the event schedule, which lends credibility to its claims. However, it could improve by providing more context on how the information was obtained, such as the circumstances of the blog post leak. Additionally, explaining the potential impact of Google's design changes on the broader tech industry and app development could enhance transparency by clarifying the significance of the update.

Sources

  1. https://www.neowin.net/news/google-leaks-material-3-expressive-design-language-ahead-of-google-io-2025/
  2. https://www.droid-life.com/2025/05/05/material-3-expressive-might-be-the-future-of-android-design/
  3. https://9to5google.com/2025/05/05/material-3-expressive-leak/
  4. https://io.google/2025/explore/technical-session-24
  5. https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/05/google-accidentally-reveals-details-about-its-new-android-design-language-material-3-expressive/