Google has announced a new design for Gmail.
The new design that will be available to start testing in February changes the way Google Meet, Google Chat, and Spaces integrate with Gmail. The design is expected to become the default option by the end of the second quarter of 2022.
The changes ensure that Google’s other messaging tools, including its business-focused Workspace suite, are no longer just little windows floating alongside your emails, but get their own screens in Gmail that can be accessed with large buttons on the left side. This new design of Gmail has been called integrated view. Starting February 8, you’ll be able to start testing the new design for yourself according to the Mountain View-based tech giant.
Google says there will be a notice at some point, encouraging users to switch to the new design.
Any Gmail user who hasn’t opted into the new design before April will switch to the new design but will be able to switch back in settings. That option to go back to the old settings will go away at the end of the second quarter, according to Google, when the new design becomes the “standard experience for Gmail.”
Although the new design appears to be more convenient and accessible, it remains to be seen how users who have been familiar with the old design for years will perceive the changes. It looks like the new interface will give you easy access to other tools without always having them on the screen, based on what Google has shown so far.
Google describes its new design said:
“Easily switch between your inbox, important conversations and join meetings without having to switch between tabs or open a new window.”
Google says the integrated view will be available to users with Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, Nonprofit, G Suite Basic, or Business. It will not be available to Workspace Essentials customers at this time.