Aside from some icon changes and a few layout reconfigurations, Gmail hasn’t changed all that much in recent years. Truth be told, this is likely a good thing as change isn’t something we humans love.
With that having been said, Gmail is in need of a refresh and its getting that although the refresh is also unifying Google apps into one screen.
Starting 8th February, Gmail users in the business and education spheres will see Gmail, Chat and Meet in one location as you can see in the image below.
It’s not a massive departure from what your inbox might look like right now, but the UI is less cluttered and the inclusion of the navigation menu on the left is great. We would have liked to have seen Google apps such as Docs and Sheets included in this menu rather than being accessible via the nine dots in the top right.
“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,” explains Google.
The rollout of this refresh will take place gradually although Google intends to have the new look available by defaults to its business and education users by mid-2022.
Until the final phase of that rollout, users will be allowed to switch between the current layout and the new layout.
Users of the following products will start to see the new layout:
- Google Workspace Business Starter,
- Business Standard,
- Business Plus,
- Enterprise Essentials,
- Enterprise Standard,
- Enterprise Plus,
- Education Fundamentals,
- Education Plus,
- Frontline,
- Nonprofits,
- G Suite Basic and Business customers.
As the rollout moves forward Google will provide regular updates over on its Workspace Updates blog here. We recommend decision makers check that blog regularly for updates.
