1048389 - [v2.1] Feature Proposal: Messages App Message Thread Sorting

Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

(Firefox OS Graveyard :: Gaia::SMS, enhancement)

Description

[Mozilla_BEC]

I'd like to see the Messages App thread list gain the ability to use user-specified sort criteria.

Currently, the Messages app sorts the threads in descending order of arrival time. In most cases, this is what makes sense and people would prefer.

However, I see the opportunity for a few other sort criteria that people may like to employ.

I propose the following sort options [with ascending/descending toggle]:
Alphabetical (ala Contacts list)
Arrival Time (current default)
Popular (number of messages exchanged)

In addition, I think a toggle to enable "pinned" Favorites chats to the top, like in the Contacts app, would make a ton of sense and would bring that UI convention into the Messages app nicely.

In this way, the user could keep the Favorites chats pinned to the top of the list, and sort the other chats in whatever manner they see fit.

I think this could be a nice addition to the Messages app.

Comment 1

[Julien Wajsberg [:julienw]]

NI Jenny for the various different UX ideas here.

Here are my take on this:

Alphabetical sort: I think it's more useful to have a "search" implementation.
Popular sort: The most popular threads are likely to be on the first panel anyway, so I don't see the immediate advantage. And if you exchange a lot with someone and then stop for some reason, it would stay on top for some time. So I don't think it's a good idea.

Favorites: why not !

Comment 2

[Jenny Lee]

I'd love to make UX improvement by helping user find a certain message more efficiently. Sorting is one way to do it, but I think we can do something that's even more visible from UI level (hence more useful), like search. Also I just started working on the idea of smart grouping/inbox that in a way supports the sorting and favorite function you described. So thread sorting is probably not something I would consider right now :)

Comment 3

[Mozilla_BEC]

Searching is great, but keep in mind that you don't always want to search for content. Sometimes, you just want to open the Inbox and have things in a location that is repeatable and makes sense.

Comment 4

[Julien Wajsberg [:julienw]]

Mass closing of Gaia::SMS bugs. End of an era :(

Comment 5

[Julien Wajsberg [:julienw]]

Mass closing of Gaia::SMS bugs. End of an era :(