I have essentially 3 ideas about notifications / chat panel

1. Basic page

Just like the current implementation, two entries in the main menu, one for the notification, one for the messages list. You get a glow / number in front of the entry if there is a new message / notification. You move to a new page when clicking on the entry.

2. Split view

Two buttons / icons located somewhere opens a split view (just like in gallery fullscreen photo view). In the split view, you have access to the list of notifications, or the list of threads.

3. Attached page

On the menu page, swipe right to get the notifications / chat page. I don't know how to display on this page, but maybe something that combines the notifications and the recent chat list.

Vote for the idea you like the most, or propose yours.