Facebook Messenger Update Shown Off in Images: Dark Mode, Simplified UI, and Custom Chat Bubbles

[MacRumors]

Yesterday during its F8 conference, Facebook announced that an update coming to Messenger would simplify the chat app and reduce the amount of visual clutter that had been added into the user interface over the last few years. The Next Web has shared images of this new update, showing off the cleaned up interface, a dark mode, and more.

Images via The Next Web​

The updated Facebook Messenger greatly reduces the number of buttons on the bottom of the screen to just three, and moves the camera and call buttons to the top right of the UI. In the current app, the bottom row has five buttons for Home, People, Camera, Games, and Discover. As The Next Web pointed out, Facebook doesn't appear to be removing any features from Messenger, so anything that appears missing is believed to be combined into another button.

Messenger will still open on a recent chat list, with circles of friends aligning the top of the screen that includes a + button to add to your Messenger Day story, the app's Snapchat clone feature. When you click on a chat, the bottom-screen UI buttons shift to include options for chat bots, the camera, and emoji. In this screen, you'll also be able to customize your chat with various color options and set what appears to be a shortcut to your favorite emoji.

During the keynote on the update, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company knows its users want a "simple and fast experience" in a chat app, so it would be "taking this moment to completely redesign Messenger to focus on these ideas." Facebook introduced a pared-down version called Messenger Lite in 2016, but it was only made available for Android devices and has yet to launch on iOS.

For the new update to the iOS Messenger app, Facebook said it's coming "very, very soon." Yesterday, the company also unveiled a "clear history" tool for ads and analytics, showed off a dating feature to rival Tinder, and launched a standalone VR headset "Oculus Go."

Article Link: Facebook Messenger Update Shown Off in Images: Dark Mode, Simplified UI, and Custom Chat Bubbles

 

[5105973]

Whatever. Bye, Felicia. I hope the people still on FB will enjoy the more streamlined interface. It’s way overdue.

 

[Mac-lover3]

I dislike Facebook but the Messenger app was great until they started integrating everything again in it (stories, games, etc). I'm in college and it's still the most convenient platform to find everyone and to communicate with them.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

People still use Facebook?

 

[iModFrenzy]

I liked the Facebook days where there was only one app needed.

 

[Jaekae]

People still use Facebook?

Most ppl have it but dont post much on it and use it for messenger

 

[Secondempire]

Looks like a solid update. The question is, will it stay lean or will it need a reset like this every few years?

 

[techpr]

Please make the opinion to record audio messages longer than 1 minute!!! this is ridiculous!

 

[robbysibrahim]

❤️ Messenger

 

[nburwell]

Looks like a pretty decent update to me. The current state of the app is just trash.

 

[iFanaddic]

Apple could be looking at a similar success with iMessage had they made it available all plateforms and OS’s...

 

[expiredyogurt]

dark UI only? the chat is still white? whats the point of it then?

 

[Meñito]

I removed the Facebook and Messenger apps from my iPhone, because occupied about 1GB of memory. With these new silly and unnecessary features, I believe that they would occupy more than 1GB.

 

[C DM]

I removed the Facebook and Messenger apps from my iPhone, because occupied about 1GB of memory. With these new silly and unnecessary features, I believe that they would occupy more than 1GB.

The apps themselves don't occupy even close to 1 GB of space, but with cached data the space can certainly grow.

 

[martyjmclean]

This is a welcome and overdue update!! If they have kept all the unnecessary features (Stories, Games, Discover, etc) then it speaks volumes of what good design can achieve.

 

[ignatius345]

I liked the Facebook days where there was only one app needed.

Although they broke it intentionally for a while, I'm finding that the mobile website once again lets you respond to messages. I personally steer any interaction off of Messenger immediately if someone contacts me there, though.

 

[Manatlt]

dark UI only? the chat is still white? whats the point of it then?

Dark UI is optional, it's not the default change. Like YouTube.com.
Dark UI will be applied everywhere in the app when turned on.

 

[nburwell]

One has to wonder when this update is coming. "Very, very soon" does not seem to be the case here.

 

[DeanL]

"Coming very soon"
Lies.

 

[Jaekae]

"Coming very soon"
Lies.

I have it already

 

[DeanL]

I have it already

Screenshot?