Badges can refer to various things in different contexts:
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In the physical world, a badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath, or a sign of legitimate membership.
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In the digital world, badges can refer to notification badges, which are the little red dots that appear on app icons, usually with a number inside, showing how many notifications or messages you have received in a specific app. For example, on an iPhone, a badge on the mail icon indicates the number of unread messages, and a badge on the settings app icon indicates that there is a software update available.
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In the context of app icon badges, they are used as a subtle engagement tool to indicate to users that theres something important, interesting, or stimulating to see if they launch the app. The badge count tells users how many notifications or messages are waiting for them when they open the app.
In summary, badges can represent physical symbols of accomplishment or authority, digital indicators of notifications or messages, and app icon badges used for engagement and user interaction.
