What Happened
Google is rolling out a redesigned pinned chats user interface to beta users for Google Messages, according to reports from Android Authority and 9to5Google. Months after the interface was first spotted via manual activation, the new look is reaching a wider audience through the beta channel.
The Details
The updated layout features large contact photos for pinned conversations, elevating them significantly above the rest of the message list by utilizing the background layer typically reserved for the logo, search, and account menu. This design choice draws comparisons to Apple's iMessage layout on iOS. However, as noted by 9to5Google, this layout does not display message history or last sent information for those pinned conversations. Android Authority notes that it remains unclear if richer message previews spotted earlier are included in this release.
Alongside the pinned chats update, Google is testing a new search arrangement on the homepage. Search is being tested as a centered floating action button alongside the new chat button. When users scroll down the page, a pill-shaped button displays "Search" while the other button minimizes. Otherwise, users see a circular magnifying glass icon alongside "Start chat" in the pill, accompanied by an animation designed to assist with one-handed usage. It remains unclear whether the Gemini icon or FAB is being removed by this update, and availability for the search changes is currently limited.
Availability
These updates are currently rolling out to users in the beta channel, though 9to5Google notes that the search and floating action button changes are not yet widely rolled out to all testers.