Twitter’s Bottom Navigation Bar More User Friendly on Android

• Twitter announced changes to its layout this week which will impact Android users. 
• The navigation bar can now be found at the bottom of the screen for easier one hand scrolling. However, swiping between tabs is now disabled.
• It's an automatic change that requires no software update.

It's been tested and now it's released. Twitter launched a change for Android users today. You'll find the navigation bar at the bottom instead of the top from now on. Apple users are already used to this feature as it's been part of the Twitter's iOS layout for some time.

Why is this change necessary? One motivation is that mobile screens are becoming larger. With more space, it's possible to design more user-friendly layouts. The new positioning makes it much easier to handle certain functions; even more so if you're working your phone with only one hand. With the icons situated at the bottom, you can easily navigate between the tabs Home, Search, Messages, and Notifications.

Easier scrolling is the main benefit, but it leaves to be seen if the other changes will be to users' liking. Android Twitter users will take a while to get used to the new layout and changes. It's, of course, handy to reach all the main features with your thumb, but the changes mean you can't swipe between tabs anymore. Users will also find a Settings button in the top right corner. Previously there was a feature for adding contacts. Users will have to learn new habits before they'll enjoy these changes optimally. The Search bar also changed size as part of the redesign.

A handy feature of this change is that it doesn't even require an official software update. You may see it change the next time you use the application, so don't go looking for it in the App Store. It's a server-side update that automatically gets pulled through to devices.

The change was announced, quite appropriately, on Twitter itself. Now we're waiting for users' feedback.

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