Loved by some, hated by some, the arrival of chat bubbles in messaging apps introduced a new UI approach. Now WhatsApp is looking to change the way Android’s chat bubbles look.
As part of a modernization drive, a softer design is being rolled out to beta testers. The change will seem subtle to many users, but for those with aesthetic leanings it is an important tweak.
The most notable difference between the old and the new style is that the cartoon or comic book inspired tags on speech / message bubbles have been removed. This leaves chat bubbles rounded at each corner, making for a cleaner and more uniform look.
WABetaInfo has been tracking the changes that Meta is working on and says of the latest beta version of the app for Android:
In previous updates, the chat bubbles had more angular corners that gave the interface a blocky appearance. Now, message bubbles appear fully rounded, with a much higher corner radius than before. Images and videos are no longer enclosed within a traditional bubble frame. Instead, they now appear entirely as bubbles themselves. This new design makes conversations feel more modern and visually appealing, as it gives users a sense of a cleaner interface.
This is not the only thing that WhatsApp is working on. As we have seen recently, plans are afoot to introduce premium subscription tiers which will provide access to additional features. Some beta testers are being given the opportunity to join the waitlist for access so they will be informed as soon as it is possible to pay for WhatsApp’s extra elements.
Among the exclusive extras that this will give access to are ringtones, stickers, and the option to pin more chats than is currently possible.
The beta version of the iOS version of the app chows that a future update will allow “users to locate their messages through a revamped interface”. WABetaInfo explains:
WhatsApp is now adopting filters in a horizontal view that offers a more modern appearance. The updated design replaces the previous vertical list with a more compact and modern layout. The search interface also highlights recent searches now. This feature helps users locate their chats and groups they’ve recently searched for. Recent searches always appear in a dedicated section at the top of the search screen. However, users are always in control over their searches, as it is possible to clear them at any time.
As ever, the timeline for public release is not yet known, so it is very much a case of “watch this space”.
