Google sketch could signal shift in search systems

Google's latest home page animation has set the industry abuzz with speculation that the search firm is on the brink of a major announcement.

The company has used hundreds of different sketches and animations over the years to celebrate anniversaries and public holidays.

However, the new animation, a series of coloured balls that appear to avoid the mouse cursor, has no embedded explanation and Google is refusing to say what it signifies.

"Today's doodle is fast, fun and interactive, just the way we think search should be," a spokesperson told V3.co.uk.

The company followed this up with an enigmatic tweet: "Boisterous doodle today. Maybe it's excited about the week ahead."

Google has scheduled a major press conference for 9:30am Pacific Time Wednesday, and rumours abound that the sketch could herald a new way of animating search results.

Others are speculating that the company is using the sketch to signify its 12th birthday. Google's first day in business has never been formally identified, but occurred some time in September 1998.