Jami has recently undergone a significant interface update on desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux), bringing a modern feel to your everyday calls and conversations. The star of the show? Frameless windows.
But what exactly does that mean, and how does it benefit you?
Before the frameless frenzy
In the past, Jami relied on the native window decorations provided by your operating system. This meant shadows, borders, and title bars were handled behind the scenes by the API (Application Programming Interface), leaving less space for the actual content of your chats and calls. While familiar, this approach limited the ability to customize Jami's look and feel.
Jami's previous version on Linux with the frames:
Jami's previous version on Windows with the frames:
Entering the frameless frontier
With Jami latest update on desktop, throws off the shackles of these pre-defined frames, opting for a custom design. This unlocks several advantages:
- More space for what matters: Gone are the thick borders and title bars, freeing up precious screen real estate. Jami now blends seamlessly with your desktop, creating a more immersive experience.
- Customization power: With frames under our control, we can now add our own buttons and design elements, making Jami feel more like your own.
- One app, all platforms: Frameless windows mean no more juggling different designs for Windows, macOS, or Linux. The experience is now smooth and consistent across all operating systems.
Differences per OS
Before you can start enjoying the new design, you will have to update your Jami app. Whether you are on Windows, macOS, or Linux, you will find slight differences we want to highlight!
On Windows 🪟
The buttons to reduce, enlarge or close the window are part of your user interface.
On macOS 🍏
The buttons to reduce, enlarge or close the window are part of your user interface on the left side, as custom to mac's user interface. 🙂
On Linux 🐧
Linux has been trickier, as the frame offers multiple options, in the right-click context menu. Going frameless remove these options. Therefore, we decided to leave the native frame by default, until the features are added upstream, in the qwindowkit library.
So at the next update, if you still see the frames, don't panic! Here is how to active the frameless windows:
- Once you log in, click on Open settings
- In the settings page, head to General, then Appearance
- Deactivate Use native window frame (requires restart)
- Restart Jami
Once you restart Jami, enjoy the modern new design!
What is Qt?
Qt is a cross-platform software development framework, primarily used for creating graphical user interfaces. It allows developers to build applications that can run on Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, or embedded systems with little or no change in the codebase.
Behind the scenes, the frameless windows hinge on Jami's use of the Qt framework. While Qt normally handles window decorations, the developers worked around it to customize the new frames for each OS.
A collaborative process
Until recently, it had been complicated or unstable to modify the non-client area (frames) using Qt. We want to give a special thanks to qwindowkit's maintainers for developing a library that enables frameless windows for Qt/QML desktop applications.
Donate to Jami
In December, we had published a manifesto to contribute to our donation campaign in order to speed up Jami's development.
Jami is a common good, and we are a small team: any donation is of great help. By donating to Jami, you can help build a freer, more human world for all, not just a few:
Thank you for your support!
Our commitment
On receiving your donation, Savoir-faire Linux Inc. and the Jami team pledge that:
- Your donations will be used exclusively to develop and improve Jami.
- Jami will always be free software published under the GPLv3+ license.
- Jami will not ask for any personal data to use the application.
- Jami will remain free for all.
- We will publish a full report of funds raised through the donation campaign.
