Google has started to roll out a new user interface (UI) design for Google Chat that would be available for Android and iOS device users.
The software will be getting a "new bottom navigation bar" that features four tabs/sections that correspond to the upcoming web version. Previously, there were only two tabs on the bottom bar that could be seen on mobile devices.
Google's New UI Designs
The new UI design would include the Home tab, the Direct Messages tab, the Spaces tab, and the Mentions tab. The first is said to help users stay on top of all conversions in one unified view and has a filter that allows them to drill down to unread messages.
On the other hand, the Direct messages tab would have a compact list of all of a user's 1:1 and group messages, including pinned conversations at the top of the list. The Space tab would have a compact list of all of a user's spaces. Lastly, the Mentions tab would help users easily navigate through and find messages from conversations and spaces where they have been mentioned, as per 9to5Google.
The way that the app is being reorganized and expanded for mobile device users is relatively straightforward. However, the actual UI design implementation is seen as somewhat odd. Google shared the look of the new design and it looks like in the integrated Gmail mobile app.
It now features one "Chat" tab, which is found between email and Meet, in the bottom bar instead of having two, Chat and Spaces. The four new parts of the UI appear in a floating pill-shaped container that is located just above the bottom bar. It has a new chat FAB on the right side.
Users will get an unread badge for each section as well as a unified count in the bottom bar. It remains unclear whether or not the oblong strip will also be used for the standalone Google Chat app or whether it will just be a conventional bottom bar and FAB.
Updating Old Looks
The design update comes as Google has previously released new looks for other apps, including Google Maps, Google Docs, and Google Drive. With its maps software, the tech giant seems to be testing out a redesigned UI where the most notable change is the colors of city blocks and streets, according to Android Police.
These used to be gray and white, respectively, but Google has opted to change them to be inverted, white and gray. The gray-colored streets have a darker gray to represent expressways and freeways that look similar to what Apple Maps uses.
On the other hand, changes to Docs and Drive's UI rolled out this March and were meant to fit in with the company's Material Design 3 language. Fortunately, the apps still work the same way that they used to but the tech giant said that they should now be a little bit more "simplified."
Google also rolled out the update for users on the rapid release domains that it was expected to have been available to everyone by Mar. 25. The tech giant added that it was coming to all Workspace and personal users as well as users who are still on its legacy G Suite Basic and Business plans, said The Verge.
