nextcloud
Flash taskbar icon on new message in Talk
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Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
In real-world usage, especially in office environments, users often switch between multiple applications or step away from their desks for short periods. When a message arrives in Talk during that time and the Talk window is minimized or not in focus, the user may miss the message entirely — especially if the system notification is too brief or muted.
This can lead to delayed responses or missed critical communications, which is not ideal for teams relying on Talk for day-to-day collaboration.
Describe the solution you'd like
When a new Talk message is received and the Talk window is minimized or not focused (on Windows), the application icon in the taskbar should flash — meaning it should blink repeatedly to attract the user's attention.
This flashing should continue until:
- The user clicks on the Talk window, bringing it into focus
- Or the message is marked as read
This behavior is standard in many messaging applications on Windows and provides a strong, persistent visual cue that a new message is waiting.
From a technical perspective, this can be implemented using:
- The Windows API function
FlashWindowEx() - Or, if the application uses Electron, the method
BrowserWindow.flashFrame(true)
Ideally, this feature should be optional via user or admin settings.
Describe alternatives you've considered
- Relying on system tray notifications: often ignored or missed
- Sound alerts: ineffective if the system is muted or user is not nearby
- Pop-up windows: disruptive for multitasking users
None of these are as effective or persistent as a flashing taskbar icon for catching the user's attention after a new message.
Additional context
This feature is especially useful in company environments, where users need to be promptly notified about new messages, even if they are temporarily away or focused on other tasks.
A simple taskbar flash ensures that users are visually reminded about new messages in a non-intrusive yet noticeable way. It greatly improves the reliability of Talk as a workplace communication tool.
Thank you for considering this enhancement.
