Google Messages for Android recently underwent a subtle but significant design change, most notably to the appearance of the send button in conversations. This change may seem minor at first glance, but it's part of Google's ongoing efforts to improve the user interface and make the app more intuitive and visually appealing.
A Close Look at the New Send Button Design
The most noticeable change is the bold new look of the send button. Previously, the send button featured a paper airplane icon that was themed to blend seamlessly with the background of the app. If you used a light theme, the icon would appear dark, and vice versa. This design was clean and minimalist, but Google has turned the concept upside down to create more visual emphasis.
The send button background is now dynamically themed using either Dynamic Color or one of eight preset Custom Bubble themes. This means that the send button background will change color based on the overall theme you’ve chosen for your conversation bubbles. However, the icon itself has been simplified to a light or dark color that contrasts sharply with the new vibrant background. This change should make the send button more prominent and easier to spot at a glance, which could improve usability, especially in busy conversations.
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Another consistent feature is the RCS end-to-end encryption (E2EE) lock icon or Gemini glow that remains as a badge in the corner of the send button. This little icon is an important visual cue to show whether your messages are securely encrypted or have special effects applied.
Usability and Wider Context
The send button is different now. You can see it in the beta version of the app. This change is happening for everyone, which means Google likes the new design.
Google has been making Google Messages better lately. They are working on a new way to see if someone has read your message. These changes show that Google cares about making Messages better.
The new send button makes Messages nicer to look at and easier to use. Google wants you to find things easily in the app.
Google is always testing new things in beta, which means we could see more changes soon.
If you're not in the beta program, you'll see a new send button soon. It'll make Messages look better and easier to use.