It’s not often we talk about UI changes on WhatsApp, but the latest such update is adding more rounded chat bubbles to the core messaging experience.
As initially reported by WABetaInfo, the chat bubble aesthetic that has been used for a number of years and was synonymous with speech bubbles is getting ditched in favor of more rounded messages per the v2.2.6.10.2 update for Android.
All of the angles are getting softened with this change, which is undoubtedly a more modern visual element for our smartphones. Because the speech bubble “tail” is ditched, messages are also better aligned with the side of your display, cutting out unnecessary dead space and cleaning up random indents.
Whether part of the enshittification of just about every application in existence, according to WABetaInfo, Meta is introducing a “Premium” tier to WhatsApp that will allow for things like custom app icons, unique app themes and ringtones, and the ability to pin more chats than is currently possible on the standard free tier.
If you are a beta user, you might see a banner or sticker at the top of the Settings section allowing you to join the Premium tier waitlist. This isn’t mandatory, but those who would be happy to pay yet another subscription will get day one access when the plan launches. It’s not clear when this will happen, but if you care, you have the option.
After years of struggling to monetize WhatsApp, this could be a way for Meta to finally start raking in cash from the billions of daily active power users. That said, this feels like a terrible way to add such features, but at least we’re getting rounded chat bubbles when using WhatsApp on mobile, right?
More on WhatsApp:
- WhatsApp might finally support traditional passwords in addition to 2FA
- WhatsApp might be the next Android app to support Resume on Windows 11 PCs
- WhatsApp is bringing video and voice calls to its web app
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