Gmail's Hidden Envelope Illusion

Hey everyone! I just found out about this cool little thing in Gmail. When you hover over the send button it looks like an envelope is closing. Has anyone else noticed this? I think it’s a neat touch. Makes me wonder what other small details I might be missing in apps I use every day. Do you know of any other fun UI tricks like this in popular software? I’d love to hear about them!

As a long-time Gmail user, I’ve somehow missed that envelope animation! It’s a clever touch that adds a bit of whimsy to the everyday task of sending emails. Speaking of subtle UI elements, I’ve always appreciated the way Google Maps’ navigation arrow gently bounces when you reach your destination. It’s a small detail, but it provides a satisfying sense of completion to your journey. Another one I find useful is in many video players - double-clicking the left or right side of the video will skip backward or forward by a few seconds. These little features might not be groundbreaking, but they certainly make our digital interactions more intuitive and enjoyable. It’s fascinating to consider how much thought goes into these seemingly minor aspects of software design.

I’ve actually noticed quite a few of these little UI tricks in various apps I use. One that always makes me smile is in Duolingo - when you complete a lesson, the owl mascot does a little celebratory dance. It’s such a small thing, but it adds a bit of fun and motivation to keep learning.

Another one I like is in the iOS calculator app. If you swipe left or right on the numbers you’ve entered, it acts as a backspace. It’s not immediately obvious, but once you discover it, it’s really handy.

These small details really show the thought that goes into app design. They’re not necessary for functionality, but they add a layer of polish and sometimes even delight to the user experience. It makes me appreciate the effort developers put into making their apps not just useful, but enjoyable to use.

Oh yeah, that envelope thing is pretty cool! i’ve seen some other neat tricks too. like in spotify, the play button turns into a pause icon when u hover over it. its subtle but kinda satisfying. These little touches make using apps more fun, dont they? wonder what other hidden gems are out there