WhatsApp continues to tweak its design, but not all users are convinced these changes improve the overall experience.
WhatsApp’s new speech bubble animation triggers ‘anxiety’ in some users. WhatsApp has once again refreshed the messaging feature by replacing the “typing…” indicator with a new animated speech bubble which has sparked mixed reactions among users.
While some welcome the update, others find it frustrating with some even saying it causes anxiety.
The new feature which resembles the typing animation in Apple’s iMessage, has been criticised by many on social media. According to the Daily Mail, the update was rolled out with little warning leading to complaints about it being distracting and unnecessary.
Previously, the “typing…” notification appeared at the top of chat windows. Now it’s been replaced by a moving speech bubble that appears beneath the last message in a conversation.
Although subtle, this shift has prompted negative responses from many users who view it as bothersome. A social media user wrote that the animation “purposely gives me anxiety,” while another described it “annoying” and “unhelpful.”
Despite backlash, WhatsApp plans to make the update available to all users very soon. Few users have also voiced their approval of the change.
One tweeted, “WhatsApp finally moved the ‘typing’ notification to where it belongs, below the chat.” Another added, “I like the new typing indicator.”
The update comes seven months after WhatsApp stirred controversy by capitalising the “Online” and “Typing” labels under users’ names, which also irritated some users at the time.
Nevertheless, WhatsApp continues to tweak its design, but not all users are convinced these changes improve the overall experience.
