WhatsApp Gets Long-awaited Material Design Overhaul

April 14, 2015

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In numerical terms, an app update to something like version 2.12.38 typically involves a few bug fixes and some stability improvements. For venerated communications app WhatsApp, however, it represents a first and long-overdue foray into Material Design. The app isn't available in the Play Store yet, so hit the break to download it directly from the powers that be.

The shift in aesthetics is drastic. Gone are the interface and color palette that screamed Ice Cream Sandwich, replaced with a Material Design-friendly green title bar with simple side sliding between calls, chats, and contacts.

In the chat window, users now have clear and easy access to Gallery, Photo, Video, Audio, Location, and Contact attachments. There's also one-touch access to recording voice message, a mainstay of the WhatsApp experience.

Media browsing is also much cleaner now, with a bold and simple interface that, at least for me, reminds me most of QuickPic's gallery, but there's a flair of Google+'s photo gallery in there, as well.

Speaking of galleries, check out ours below and let us know how the upgrade goes for you.

Source: The Next Web
Download: WhatsApp

Geoff Openshaw Author

Geoff has been an Android enthusiast for many years, starting with the original Droid, which he purchased solely because he did not yet believe in the efficiency of virtual keyboards. His current phone is a Nexus 5, but admits the camera is wanting. He works for an international development firm, handling humanitarian projects overseas. Aside from his writings at Talk Android, he also edits the BLOCK magazine of the Missouri Star Quilt Co., owns and runs a podcast network, and occasionally writes and/or performs music. He's an avid Angels and FC Barcelona fan and pretends he knows how to cook, but his wife will say differently. He is from Southern California and resides in Washington, DC.