Ice Cream Shell Theme: Android 4.0 Look for Gnome Shell - Linux

Gnome Shell Themes: A Fresh Look

Following the introduction of Gnome Shell for Linux, a significant number of themes have emerged for this desktop environment.

Recently, a detailed review of these themes has been lacking, despite the aesthetic appeal of many options.

Introducing an Android-Inspired Theme

This article focuses on a particularly attractive theme that is likely to resonate with fans of the Android operating system.

Specifically, a high-quality theme replicating the visual style of Android 4.0, known as "Ice Cream Sandwich," has been developed for Gnome Shell.

The theme successfully captures the essence of the Android interface, offering a familiar experience to users transitioning between platforms.

It provides a visually pleasing alternative to the default Gnome Shell appearance, enhancing the overall desktop experience.

Gnome Shell users seeking a distinctive and modern aesthetic will find this Android-inspired theme to be a compelling choice.

Its faithful recreation of the "Ice Cream Sandwich" design makes it a standout option within the Gnome Shell theme ecosystem.

Theme Installation

The installation process requires standard tools for Gnome Shell theme application. These include the Gnome Shell desktop environment, the theme package itself, Gnome Tweak Tool, and the appropriate Gnome Shell extensions for theme modification. Prior experience with Gnome Shell theming will simplify this process.

If you are new to Gnome Shell theming, installing Gnome Shell and Gnome Tweak Tool is the first step. Then, execute the following command (for Ubuntu-based systems) to obtain the extension needed for theme changes:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/gnome3

Following this, update your package list:

sudo apt-get update

Finally, install the user theme extension:

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell-extensions-user-theme

Fedora users can install the extension with a single command:

sudo yum install gnome-shell-extension-user-theme

With these prerequisites met, you are now prepared to proceed. Download the theme package from its source. For an optimal visual experience, consider also downloading the matching desktop wallpaper and the Roboto font family.

After downloading all necessary files, initiate the theme installation process using the Gnome Tweak Tool.

The Theme

Upon application of this new theme, several visual modifications become apparent. Elements situated across the top of the shell interface adopt a blue color scheme, and the "Activities" label is replaced with an icon representation.

Furthermore, the font style is updated concurrently with the installation of the four included Roboto font files.

Activities

Navigating to the Activities overview reveals further alterations. The pinned application icons on the left side are now distinguished from the background by a single, streamlined blue line, rather than a bounding box, resulting in a cleaner aesthetic.

Both the Windows and Applications buttons exhibit modified styling, featuring a blue line beneath each, with the currently selected option highlighted in blue text and a more prominent line.

The search bar, positioned in the upper-right corner, presents reduced transparency compared to the default theme, employing a smooth gradient effect with rounded corners. The workspace dock on the right side outlines each workspace in blue, contrasting with the dark gray background.