Google Chat’s New Bottom Bar on Android and iOS

Dear Android and iOS users here is the new update on Google introducing of New Bottom Bar

Google Chat's recent redesign has ushered in a dynamic transformation, particularly on Android and iOS platforms. The introduction of a new bottom bar signifies a pivotal shift in the user interface, promising a more streamlined and engaging experience. With fresh menu options and enhanced navigation, this update redefines the way users interact with the popular messaging app. The eagerly awaited update, as announced in the Google Workspace Updates blog, is now rolling out to smartphones following the latest Chat app update on the Google Play Store on December 5.

Although our team has yet to witness the update on our phones, reports from 9to5Google's writers indicate that the redesign has successfully reached some of their devices. The recent update suggests that the change is being facilitated on Google's server-side backend. However, the widespread rollout is proving to be more time-consuming than anticipated. While Google initially stated that the redesign would start taking effect on November 29, the blog also cautioned that it might take longer than 15 days for the changes to become visible. With exactly three weeks having passed since November 19, users are eagerly awaiting the revamped experience on their Android devices.

For those fortunate enough to access the new look, the most noticeable alteration is the transformation of the bottom bar into a floating pill, adorned with four icons. These icons represent Home, Direct messages, Spaces, and Mentions, providing users with quick access to these essential features. Adjacent to this floating pill is a more squared Floating Action Button (FAB), facilitating the creation of a new chat. In the Gmail app, the entire bar containing the Chat pill and the New Chat button has been consolidated into its own FAB, accessible by pressing the middle chat icon on the bottom bar within Gmail.

The redesign aligns Google Chat more closely with other Google apps and software that have undergone the Material You treatment in recent years. However, opinions on the design changes are divided, with some expressing uncertainty about the homogenization of Google's suite of applications. A sentiment echoed from over three years ago, when Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, and Meet received uniform icons, blurring the distinctiveness of each application.

Designed to cater to a diverse user base, Google Chat sees extensive usage, particularly among business and enterprise accounts. Available on Android, iOS-based devices, and web browsers, it ensures accessibility from virtually any device, anywhere. With its prevalence in company communication, mastering the right tips and tricks for Google Chat becomes imperative for users who spend significant portions of their day engaged with the platform.