Gmail may soon look
nothing like the Gmail we all know so well. Google has invited a select
group of users to test a completely new interface for the webmail
client, according to Geek.com,
which appears to be part of the trial. The test version of Gmail —
which may never see an official release — dispenses with design elements
that have been present from the very early days of the email service.
Most notably, the unwieldily sidebar has been replaced with a slide-in
pane. Buttons like "compose" have been moved to the bottom right corner,
and it looks like there's another new feature down there: reminders.
Just like on Android, you should be able to tell Google to let you know
about a date in the future or to respond to a certain email. Hangouts,
of course, are also integrated into the design. And cosmetically, there
are major changes afoot that make the interface look right at home next
to Google Now.
The redesign matches a test layout revealed last month by Geek.com
for mobile web access. Like that leaked interface, this test version of
Gmail includes some major new features, like snoozing an email and
setting it to return to the top of your inbox at a later date in time.
Stars have also been replaced with pins, and you can set it so that
pinned emails always stay at the top of your inbox. In addition, Travel,
Purchases, and Finance tabs now join the current Social, Promotional,
Updates, and Forums tabs that are currently offered in Gmail to keep
your inbox manageable and organized.
However, it's important to note
that companies often test new interfaces, and many redesigns never see
wide release. Google, in particular, is well known for trying new
layouts but never releasing them to the public. Nevertheless, if Google
is working on redesigning Gmail, we just hope Google's paid some
attention to its woefully inadequate contact manager.
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