6

I've noticed a couple surprising blue icons in the new Unity panel.

I think I noticed the envelope glowed blue when I had a new message, and I think the BFB glowed blue when I had a wiggling application, but I can't be sure. I even think the volume indicator glowed blue at some point, but I can't get it to do so again.

I'm sensing there's some subtlety here that I'm missing. Is there a list/explanation?

2 Answers 2

5

When an application alerts you or requires focus,a blue triangle would appear on the top-left of the Ubuntu button and an icon would also pop out and wiggle briefly.

application notification

The envelope will turn blue whenever you receive a new email or instant message.

envelope notification

When the system volume is muted and audio starts playing , the sound icon would turn blue for a brief period.

audio notification

3
  • Hrm, the mute one doesn't seem to work too well. Seems simple enough, but playing with it a bit makes it seem unreliable. Is there more to it than it seems?
    – mlissner
    May 2, 2011 at 2:18
  • @mlissner I think it may be cleverer than our attempts to get it to play... not quite sure what its criteria are.
    – 8128
    May 2, 2011 at 19:40
  • @fluteflute, yeah, either clever or dumber. Not sure which.
    – mlissner
    May 2, 2011 at 23:50
2

The blue indicates something probably needs your attention:

  • Messaging Menu - blue is the new green. This means you have a new message/email/IM. Note that applications can mark notifications to not be as important - e.g. Gwibber's tweets (unless they're @you) will not cause the envelope to go blue.
  • Sound Menu - the only time I've seen this go blue. Is if your audio is muted, but there's some sort of sound notification trying to play. Not fully sure about that one.
  • The Ubuntu button (or bfb) - this goes blue (or gets the blue triangle) when an applications is requesting focus. This has some known bugs, for example starting GIMP always causes it to turn blue.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .