If there's one app that gets updated frequently, it's Google Messages. Not only does Google frequently roll out changes, but it's also swift in handling complaints. In June, the gallery and camera interface were redesigned, but not everyone was a fan of it. Google is currently taking care of that.
The interface that rolled out in June combined the camera and gallery. When the button to the right of the text field was tapped, it displayed a viewfinder at the top and a photo grid at the bottom. Users who didn't want to activate their camera every time they tried to attach a photo weren't happy with the change. The only fix was to disable the camera in Google Messages.
It was also annoying for some users that tapping the gallery icon brought up a full-screen viewfinder that took up most of the screen, while the remaining portion was taken up by the photo grid, hiding the conversation completely.
The camera and gallery options have been split in the plus menu. | Image Credit - Reddit user seeareeff
Google has taken care of the problem by letting users access the camera and gallery separately. When you tap the 'plus' menu on the right, you will now be able to decide if you want to bring up the camera or go to the gallery.
The icon in the text field still launches the merged interface. | Image Credit - 9to5Google
Google hasn't rolled back the previous changes, though. Selecting the icon in the text field will still summon the combined interface.
Did you find the combined gallery and camera interface in Google Messages annoying?
Yes, I mostly only attach photos from the gallery
75%
Only initially, but then I got used to it
16.67%
No, not like it added a ton of extra steps
8.33%
Google is basically letting you decide which interface is right for you. We think it might merge the viewfinder and gallery again when more people get used to it. The opposite may also prove to be true, but we are just speculating. For now, it has done the sensible thing by keeping around both options. After all, these are both frequently used options, and any friction would adversely affect the user experience.
9to5Google says that the change is being rolled out on a limited scale to the latest version of the Google Messages beta.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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