WhatsApp gets Material Design update: 5 not to miss new features

Also Read - WhatsApp OTP scam: What is it, how to stay safe

We had reported yesterday that the updated version of WhatsApp for Android has been rolled out to all users, which brings about plethora of changes along with the new layout. The latest version of the design overhaul was earlier available through the app file available on the company’s website, which has now made it to the Google Play Store. The update has focused more on refreshing the age old WhatsApp UI with dark green as its main color. Also Read - 5 upcoming WhatsApp features: Read Later, advanced wallpaper and more

Also Read - WhatsApp to let you mute videos before sending, currently testing in beta

There are quite a few minute design changes apart from the Material Design look and feel. The folks at IBNLive have pointed out five key new design features.

The taskbar on top now has three tabs — Calls, Chats and Contacts — that are embedded on a green-colored band running under it. Once you start scrolling down, the top bar that contains the WhatsApp logo and other options disappears, giving you more screen real estate to fit your ongoing chats.

Inside any chat, the attachment icon now gives colorful pictorial representation of options like gallery, photo, video, audio, location or contact. The large circular icons are not only pleasing to look but also make it more intuitive.

The little pointer arrows of the speech bubbles that contain the messages have been moved towards the top instead of the center. This too looks better and more refined than earlier.

The background color of the drawer tray containing the emoji icons is now a light shade of grey that brings out the emojis and make them more visible. Unfortunately, there are no new emojis to play around with, not even the middle finger emoji that Microsoft has brought with Windows 10.

The voice recording button next to the message box is now highlighted with a green background that enhances its presence.

For the latest tech news across the world, latest PC and Mobile games, tips & tricks, top-notch gadget reviews of most exciting releases follow BGR India’s Facebook, Twitter, subscribe our YouTube Channel.