Google has unveiled an intriguing redesign for the home screen of its Messages application, introducing a distinctive branding element while eliminating the navigation drawer. This revamp aims to enhance the user experience on the Android platform.
One notable change is the replacement of the full-width search bar with a sleek magnifying glass icon. Positioned in the top-left corner, the renowned four-color “G” logo representing Google is followed by the word “Messages,” emphasizing the brand’s presence.
The navigation drawer, along with its hamburger icon, has been removed from the interface. These options are now accessible through the account menu. Key features such as Archived, Spam & Blocked, Mark All as Read, and Device Pairing are presented first, while Your Data in Messages, Messages Settings, and Help & Feedback remain unchanged. Moreover, the “Choose a Theme” functionality has been relocated to the settings menu.
Another alteration can be observed in the search feature, as Google has replaced the “Categories” carousel with a standard grid layout, minimizing the need for excessive scrolling. The new grid includes sections such as Starred, Images, Videos, Places, Links, Unread, Known, and Unknown.
The removal of the navigation drawer in Messages was deemed inefficient, as it contained only a few items and lacked the extensive folder and label lists found in apps like Gmail and Calendar. The implementation of the account menu, which has been adopted by other first-party Google apps like the Play Store, brings forth enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, the decision to eliminate the full search bar, despite its ubiquity in Google applications, reflects a commitment to streamlining the user interface.
Notably, the inclusion of the prominent “G” logo in the top-left corner serves as a clear manifestation of Google’s branding strategy, highlighting the company’s vision for messaging experiences. This move can be interpreted as part of Google’s ongoing campaign to promote RCS (Rich Communication Services).
The redesigned home screen is being gradually rolled out with version 20230608_01_RC00 of Google Messages, which recently debuted on the beta channel. While the new design is not yet widely available, it represents a definite modernization of the application’s interface.