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Google Messages Tests Redesigned Homepage with Pinned Chats and Gemini
Confirmed
In Short: Google Messages for Android is testing a significant redesign of its homepage, featuring three core components: elevated pinned chats, a bottom search bar, and a Gemini shortcut.
The redesign elevates pinned chats above all other conversations, displaying large contact photos prominently at the top of the screen.
The search function is now a centered floating action button (FAB) near the bottom of the screen, replacing the previous Gemini FAB.
Google has also moved the Gemini shortcut to the top-right corner of the screen, next to the user's profile image.
The new design simplifies the user interface, drawing inspiration from the Google Search homepage's stark and utilitarian nature.
The chat box at the bottom of the screen remains unchanged, serving as the only indicator of whether the user is using the free or paid Advanced version of Gemini.
Google is also reportedly testing an expansion of its 'Call for Me' AI feature to include personal calls, potentially allowing users to send quick messages to friends and family.
Android Authority has found 'granular permissions' for Gemini actions within individual apps, including settings for phone call permissions.
The redesigned homepage is part of Google's ongoing efforts to integrate Gemini more seamlessly into its messaging app, changing how the assistant is presented within the texting app.
Critics have expressed mixed feelings about the new design, with some users disliking the 'bobble head' look of the pinned chat photos.
The redesign is currently being tested on Android devices, but not on iPhones, which recently received a Gemini homescreen shortcut widget.
What this adds
The new design simplifies the user interface and integrates Gemini more prominently, but it may not be ideal for group chats where the pinned photo does not provide much information at a glance.
Google's efforts to integrate Gemini more deeply into Google Messages suggest a strategic move to compete with other chatbot services.
Background
Google Messages is testing a redesign that elevates pinned chats and improves search functionality.
Google Messages is testing a redesign that elevates pinned chats and introduces a new Board section, but it will limit the number of pinned chats from 20 to six.
Google Messages is a text messaging software application developed by Google for its Android and Wear OS mobile operating systems. It is also available as a web app.
What's confirmed
- Otherwise, you’ll see a circular magnifying glass icon and “Start chat” in the pill.
- Meanwhile, Google is testing another change where search becomes a centered floating action button (FAB) alongside new chat.
What's still developing
- It started appearing on mobile two weeks ago when some people got the updated gemini.google.com homescreen.
- Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
- While Google’s AI might not automate an entire catch-up phone call with your relatives, it could deliver quick messages to people who prefer a phone call, miss texts often, or even still have a landline phone.
- I hate the pinned bubble conversation look and more importantly it's function.
- Hate the idea of just the pinned "bobble head" look.
- That last point matters because Gemini is still chasing a leader in chatbot usage, a gap we laid out in our look at StatCounter’s October chatbot share figures.
- It helps less when your pinned threads are group chats, since a group photo or default icon tells you little at a glance.
- The pinned photos change how fast you reach your closest contacts.
- Android Central also flagged that Google is changing how search works, though the pinned-chat space tradeoff drew most of its attention.
- The test covers three elements of the Google Messages home screen.