14 DAY TRIAL // Google has just announced a new integrated view for Gmail, as the company wants not only to keep the UI of its email service as fresh and modern as possible but also to offer better integration of other apps like Chat and Meet.
As you can see in the screenshot in the article, the unified look makes it easier to launch the other Google apps, though the focus obviously continues to be on the emails in your inbox.
“When enabled, the new navigation menu allows you to easily switch between your inbox, important conversations, and join meetings without having to switch between tabs or open a new window. Notification bubbles make it easy to stay on top of what immediately needs your attention. When working in Chat and Spaces, you can view a full list of conversations and Spaces within a single screen, making it easier to navigate to and engage,” Google explains.
At the same time, Google is also working on unifying the search experience, so the only box in Gmail will allow you to search for both email and chat results.
Going live later this month
This will make the experience overall more straightforward, and this makes perfect sense given all the features are now being brought under the same roof.
“When working in your inbox, you’ll be able to view the full array of Mail and Label options currently available in Gmail today. In the coming months, you will also see email and chat results when using the search bar, making it easier to find what you need by eliminating the need to search within a specific product,” Google says.
Starting February 8, Gmail users will start seeing a new banner to try out the new interface, and by April, Google plans to enable it for everybody. An option to go back to the classic Gmail will continue to be available until the end of the year.