WhatsApp is working on a new design for the bottom navigation bar on its Android app. The new design will have a floating bar with rounded corners. This could give the app a cleaner and more modern look.

Back in 2023, WhatsApp first added the bottom navigation bar to Android. It moved important sections such as Chats, Communities, Updates, and Calls to the bottom of the screen. This made it easier for users to move between different sections.

Now, WhatsApp is testing a new look for this bar. Instead of being connected to the bottom of the screen, the new bar will appear like a separate floating box. It will have rounded corners and a simple design.

Image via WABetaInfo

The new Android design also looks a little like the navigation bar on WhatsApp for iPhone. However, WhatsApp may not use the same transparent look on Android. The company could make more changes before releasing the final version.

The new navigation bar is being tested with both light and dark themes. WhatsApp may also change its design based on testing and user feedback.

The new design was spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.38.10. It is still being developed, so it is not available to all beta users yet. WhatsApp may release it to some users in a future update.

Google has released Android Auto 17.8 stable, bringing several new changes to its in-car system. The update also suggests that Google is preparing to bring its Magic Cue AI feature to cars.

Magic Cue is designed to provide useful information automatically, without users having to search for it. For example, if a message mentions a meeting or location, the system could show related information from Google Calendar or Gmail. In the future, this could help drivers get directions, reservation details or other useful information with fewer steps.

Android Auto 17.8 also adds a new option for dashboard widgets. These widgets can show extra information on the car screen. Users may be able to hide them when they want more space for navigation.

The update also brings new Gemini privacy controls. These settings can give users more control over whether Gemini can use personal information from services such as Gmail and Google Calendar. This could be mainly useful when a car is shared with other people.

Image via AndroidSage

Google has also improved the position of the media player. New settings allow music controls to be placed in different areas of the screen. This can make them work better on wide displays and in right-hand-drive cars.

Android Auto 17.8 also includes new Material Color 3 design elements. These changes can improve colors, contrast, and the overall look of the interface.

The Magic Cue features may not be fully available yet. However, Android Auto 17.8 shows that Google is working toward making its car system smarter, more useful, and personalized for drivers.

Google Messages is getting a new design that changes how users see information about their messages. Earlier, users could tap on a message to see details such as the time it was sent, delivery status, and encryption information. Now, Google is making these details easier to access with new swipe controls.

With the new design, users can swipe left on a message to see its timestamp and encryption details. The information can also appear for all messages in a conversation.

This means users do not have to tap on every message separately to check when it was sent. The change could make it easier to look through older conversations and find message times quickly.

Google has been working on this feature for a long time. The company first started testing swipe controls for timestamps in 2024. After testing the feature in beta, the new design is now slowly reaching more Google Messages users.

Image – SammyFans

There is another useful gesture in the update. Swiping right on a message lets users reply directly to it. This makes it easier and faster to respond to a specific message, mainly in long conversations. Tapping on a message will still work, but it will now mainly show the delivery status.

The new design has been spotted in Google Messages version 20260910_03_RC02. It is not clear if this exact version is required to get the update. If you cannot see the new features yet, check for the latest Google Messages update. Since the rollout is gradual, the new design may take some time to appear on your phone.

Google Messages is getting a new long-press menu that makes it easier to manage messages. The new feature is now reaching more users on the stable version of the app.

The new menu includes many common options. Users can quickly Reply, Forward, Copy, Star, Delete, Select more, or view Info about a message. When users long-press a photo, they may also see options such as Save and Remix.

The most useful new feature is the ability to copy only part of a message. Earlier, users usually had to copy the whole message. Now, they can press and hold the message and select only the words they need.

Image via Reddit 

For example, if someone sends a long message containing an address, phone number, code, or important sentence, users can select just that part and copy it. This can save time and make copying information much easier.

Google first started testing these changes with beta users in August. The features are now slowly reaching people using the stable version of Google Messages. Some users have reported seeing the new menu on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra.

However, the update is being released through Google’s servers. Due to this, it may not appear on every phone at the same time. The new menu is a small change, but it can make Google Messages easier and faster to use every day.

WhatsApp is preparing another small but useful addition to its upcoming Contacts tab. WhatsApp is testing birthday reminders that could make it easier to notice when someone in your address book has their birthday.

WABetaInfo spotted the feature in WhatsApp Beta for iOS version 26.38.10.18, currently available through TestFlight. Rather than asking users to maintain a separate birthday list inside WhatsApp, the app appears to pull this information from the iPhone’s Contacts app.

Birthday reminders will appear beside contacts

When a saved contact has a birthday, WhatsApp will highlight that person in the Contacts tab with a cake emoji and a “Birthday today” label. The indicator is expected to remain visible throughout the day, prompting users to start a conversation and send their wishes.

There is no need to manually add the birthday inside WhatsApp. If the date is already stored in the contact’s address-book information, WhatsApp can use it automatically. Users can also add or edit a birthday through the iPhone’s Contacts app.

The birthday feature is being developed alongside a broader overhaul of WhatsApp’s navigation. The company is working on moving Status updates and Channels into the Chats section, which would free up space for a dedicated Contacts tab.

The feature is still under development, so its final design and availability could change before release. WhatsApp has not announced a public rollout date, and beta availability is expected to come first.