[News] Thunderbird v115 to Get a Modern Redesigned “Supernova UI” in July 2023
LATEST UPDATE: Stable version of Thunderbird 115.0 has been released to public. It comes with new Supernova UI along with many new UI changes and new features. You can download it from here.
UPDATE: The new redesigned UI (User Interface) has been named as “Supernova UI” and will be introduced in Thunderbird 115 version scheduled to release this summer in July 2023. The new Thunderbird UI is being developed from scratch and will provide a modern and refreshing look-n-feel to Thunderbird email client.
[Review] Thunderbird v115 “Supernova UI” Releasing in July 2023
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Multi-line or multi-row message list view is one of the highly demanded features for Mozilla Thunderbird email client software. Here is a good news, Thunderbird has plans to implement multi-line message list view in its upcoming version 114 which is scheduled to release in Q4 of 2022 or Q1 of 2023.
Following screenshot shows a concept of multi-line message list view implemented in Thunderbird 114:
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What is Multi-line Message List View in Email Clients?
Multi-line message list view (also known as 2-line vertical view) is an excellent feature present in Microsoft’s popular desktop email client “Outlook“. Microsoft Outlook displays the messages list in multi-line view which contains email subject and sender information (email ID/ name) on 2 separate lines. The same feature was also present in good old Windows Live Mail and Opera Mail software which have been discontinued long time back.
Apple Mail and the Mail app (present in Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems) also provide multi-line message list view.
If we talk about email services websites or web versions such as Gmail, Outlook, etc, almost all web versions use multi-line message list view by default.
Vivaldi browser’s email feature also comes with multi-line message list view.
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Multi-line message list view is very useful for widescreen monitor users. This view makes the messages list looking compact and clean.
Thunderbird Users were Requesting for Multi-line Message List View Since Years
Multi-line message list view feature was in demand by thunderbird users since many years. Here are some examples of feedback/requests made by Thunderbird users about the multi-line message list view:
cca93014 @ MozillaZine forums:
Not sure if this has been asked before; I did a search and came up blank.
Is it possible to have each email message split over two lines in the message pane? I like the concept of having the three panes layout vertically, but it really squashes the message list pane. I see that outlook 2003 spans each message over two rows if this is the case, and was curious if it was possible to do it in Thunderbird?
Discussion about multi-line message list view at official Bugzilla site:
Mail/message listing/thread pane needs more organization in 3 vertical pane view (column wrapping, etc)
The latter builds of Thunderbird feature the new, Outlook 2003 3 paned view. This view has the 3 common mail panes going from left to right with no vertical stacking. This works well, except the mail listing. Because this layout causes the middle pane to have less horizontal real estate, it causes scrunching of mail information. As a result, under this view, a new setup should be done. Moving to a more vertical mail summary will allow each mail’s to/date/subject information to be viewed without crowding.
Another discussion at official Bugzilla site:
Suggest Multi-line Message List display (great in vertical view)
I like having my folders on the left, followed by the message list view, followed by the message preview pane (where I actually read all mail). However, the message list isn’t very useful in this layout, because there’s not enough space to get subject, sender, date, and spam status all into a single line. Instead, I suggest allowing the message list presentation format for each message to be taller (multi-line); possibly as a separate option, or possibly tied to being in Vertical View layout mode.
pegelf @ Reddit site:
Is it possible to have a multi row message list like other mail programs?
I think about switching back to Thunderbird, but couldn’t find out if there is an option to have a multi lined message list nowadays, as found in several other clients like Microsoft Outlook, the default mail client on Mac, Evolution, Geary or Mailspring.
I like to have a vertical layout which makes sense on a wide screen monitor in my opinion, but to see all information about the mail it should be possible to have one line for the mail address and the date, one for the subject and maybe one with a preview of the message instead of one very wide line for everything.
I already searched for something like that in the past years and I know there were feature requests older than 15 years, but maybe the situation has changed. I’d be happy if someone maybe knows a plugin, a fork or maybe a bug bounty where I can donate money to for having that feature.
BitingChaos @ Reddit:
Any way to get message list to be multi-line like other mail apps?
Apple Mail, Outlook, Gmail, etc. All other mail clients and web interfaces will display messages on 1 to 3 rows. Thunderbird shows them on 1 row.
Is there an Extension or something to get Thunderbird to look more like other mail clients?
So you see the multi-line message list view feature was requested by Thunderbird users since ages but it was never implemented in Thunderbird.
Thunderbird 114 Version to Come with Many New Features and Changes
Thunderbird team has shared details of the features list which they are going to implement in the future version of their email client software at official Thunderbird Developer website.
Thunderbird 114 version is scheduled to release in first half of next year i.e. 2023. If everything goes as planned, we might get Thunderbird 114 version in Q1 of 2023.
There are many new and interesting features which are going to become a part of upcoming Thunderbird 114 version. Some of them are as following:
- Firefox Sync feature (expected delivery – Q4 2022)
- Unified toolbar: a single, reusable, global toolbar (expected delivery – Q4 2022)
- A single App Menu to replace the current hamburger menu (expected delivery – Q3 2022)
- Mail tab redesign (expected delivery – Q4 2022/Q1 2023)
- Link preview card improvements
- A centralized account setup hub (expected delivery – Q4 2022)
- Customizable shortcuts (expected delivery – Q4 2022)
- Calendar UI (expected delivery – Q1 2023)
Now let’s talk about the addition of Multi-line message list view feature!
New Multi-line Message List View Feature in Thunderbird 114 Version
Multi-line message list view has been shared as a part of Mail Tab Redesign feature which is scheduled to release in Q4 of 2022 or Q1 of 2023.
Here is the official announcement:
Update the Mail space with improved UX and UI, some of these enhancements include multi-line message list and “conversational” threads. It will be possible to reply to messages in the conversations area.
The feature will be implemented using 3Pane which will replace existing XUL tree.
Here is a screenshot of upcoming Mail tab redesign which will also feature Multi-line message list view in Thunderbird 114 version:
This is really a good and exciting news for Thunderbird users which were waiting for this feature since long time.
You can now wait for a few months to get your hands on Multi-line message list view feature in Thunderbird.
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This “upcoming” feature was demanded for more than 10 years now. Even talking about this gives me a headache. I remember the community discussions too well and I believe in wonders when I see them – so please mention the release and NOT any plans
Betterbird is a patched version of Thunderbird and has included multi-line view for a few years already.
betterbird.eu
PLEASE DON’T DO THAT!
I and many people I know are using Thunderbird because it is NOT like Outlook. We don’t want multi lines. It looks UGLY, takes unnecessary space, makes us scroll to much just to see messages we could see before on one screen.
Especially on wide screen, where you can fit everything in one row.
At least give us the option to EASY change back. PLEASEEEEE!
Thank you for keeping Thunderbird Thunderbird, not turning it into another Outlook.