“Following last year’s announcement of a new look for Gmail, and the recently refreshed interfaces for Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, we’re also introducing a more consistent, enhanced look and feel for Google Chat,” the company said.
What’s changing
Google Chat is getting a makeover that is based on Google’s Material Design 3 system. This means that the UI will now include tweaks like updated font, colours, layouts, panel sizing and more. The changes are coming to the top app bar, left navigation, main message view, compose setup, new topic button, and the thread panel within direct messages and spaces.
According to a GIF shared by Google, there is a rounded search bar and more options on the sidebar.
“We hope this modernised product experience increases collaboration and enables you to more easily complete tasks within your workflow,” Google added.
Rollout and availability
The new interface will be rolled out to admins and end users and no action is required. They will automatically see these updates in the web experience over the next several weeks.
It will be available to users with personal Google Accounts, all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers.
Google shuts Currents
Earlier this week, Google announced that it will wind down Currents, to focus efforts on community experiences that are better integrated with the rest of Google Workspace. Customers can opt-in for automated migration of Currents data to spaces in Google Chat.
Beginning July 5, 2023, Currents will no longer be available and Google will continue to invest in new features for Google Chat.
