Lenovo have committed a similar crime with their camera shutter design that includes the red dot from the thinkpad logo, totally ignoring that a red dot/light in the context of a camera has been used to indicate a recording state for a long time. Lenovo's Camera is in the off/disabled/shuttered position when the red dot is visible.
Although of little consequence in reality, the idea that some exec thought this would help the brand blows my mind. It definitely detracts from Lenovo's image in my mind and indicates that they care more about advertising to me than good design.
The red dot is quite bright, in a well lit area I don't know if I could distinguish it from a dim LED. On my carbon X1, there is an infrared camera or sensor right next to it, so in my case I actually have the IRlens and the dot adjacent to one another as you might expect on a recording device.
I wouldn't go so far as to say I was confused by it, just thought to myself "huh, that's kind of silly"
Although of little consequence in reality, the idea that some exec thought this would help the brand blows my mind. It definitely detracts from Lenovo's image in my mind and indicates that they care more about advertising to me than good design.