Google Updates Icons for Contacts, Messages, and Phone Apps

    Google is updating the icons for its Contacts, Messages, and Phone apps. The change continues the design update that began earlier this year with the Workspace and Pixel apps. The icons' basic shapes remain the same, while their colors and curved lines are being aligned with the company's other apps.    The new icons feature soft, clear color gradients. According to Google, sharper edges will help make the icons easier to distinguish on a phone's home screen. By giving its communication apps the same design, the company aims to create a more cohesive look on the home screen.    The update will roll out through the Play Store over the coming weeks. The new icon is already active in the latest beta, or test version, of the Google Messages app. The change is purely visual and does not affect how the apps work or their features. The transition to the regular versions will also be gradual.    The new icons are also expected to appear at contacts.google.com and messages.google.com/web. This will give the mobile apps and the web versions of the services the same appearance. Google has not said when the transition will be completed, and the update will reach users in stages.