How to try out the main features of the new Gmail interface

How to see the updated design

It's ridiculously easy to enable the redesigned Google Mail web client. Open Gmail, click on the gear icon and select "Try a new version of Gmail". Everything.

Gmail: how to include a redesigned design

If something doesn't suit you, you can easily return to the classic look. For now, anyway.

The interface has noticeably changed, the animations have become smoother. The main thing is that working with mail has become faster and more convenient thanks to new features.

What features can you try

Pop-up buttons

Now you don't have to open your emails to archive or delete them. Just hover your cursor over the email and you will see pop-up buttons for quick actions with the mail. Email can be archived, deleted, marked as read, or postponed for later with one click.

New sidebar

On the right, you can see miniature icons for Google Calendar, Google Keep and Google Task. Click on one of them. A convenient panel will appear on the side, in which you can manage your events and appointments in the calendar, create notes and tasks.

In addition, you can add third-party add-ons to the sidebar, such as Trello for Gmail. And it's incredibly convenient.

The taskbar becomes especially useful when you remember that Google finally has its own Task mobile app for Android and iOS. And yes, you can drag and drop your emails right to the panel to quickly create tasks with them.

Postponing emails for later

Putting it off until tomorrow when you can do it next week is certainly not good. But, you see, sometimes it's nice to have such an opportunity.

If you are drowning in the flow of correspondence and see a letter that you do not want to lose, put it off until a certain moment. It will disappear from your inbox as if you didn’t receive it. Then, at the set time, it will reappear in your Inbox, so you will surely see it.

Pleasant trifles

The updated Gmail allows you to add recipients by typing their names right in the body of the letter. Press "+" and enter the name of the desired contact. Simple, isn't it?

In addition, Google has updated the design of the tooltips that appear when you hover over contacts. Now, hovering over people's names displays information from Google Contacts. And you can send them a message, schedule a meeting, or start a Hangouts video chat with one tap.

What to expect soon

Google intends to introduce several more updated features in the coming weeks:

Offline work of Gmail. You can search, write and delete your messages up to 90 days offline.
Confidential mode. You can prevent recipients from forwarding, copying, downloading or printing your messages. Or, if you prefer, set up mandatory recipient authentication via text messages with you before they receive your email. Even if the recipient's mailbox is compromised, attackers will not read your messages.
Those who have tried Google's Inbox app are probably familiar with this feature. Gmail will now offer quick replies to incoming emails depending on the context and language you usually use. It is enough to click on "Smart Answer", and a letter with it will be sent to the addressee.
Forgotten message reminders. If a letter stays in your Inbox for a long time, Gmail will remind you of it.
Protection against fraudulent messages. Now phishing emails will be marked with a big red warning, which is hard to miss.

Obviously, the developers of Gmail seriously decided to make such a fancy monster like Outlook, keeping all the lightness and simplicity of their web client. And they did it.