Gmail is now rolling out a new UI that will show the Chat and Meet sections in the side pane by default. Google introduced this new built-in view earlier this year through opt-in options, so you had to manually enable the Chat and Meet panes. However, as the new rollout phase begins, the company will require you to opt out if you want the classic Gmail view.
Google says the change is rolling out to Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. This includes Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers, and individual Google Workspace users.
Only Google Workspace Essentials customers won’t see the change, or Workspace customers who only received access to Gmail and no other apps.
“Starting today, we’re rolling out the unsubscribe experience to a segment of Gmail users. This means some users will see the new default Gmail experience, but they’ll still have the option to switch back to classic Gmail through the settings menu. As we continue to roll out this new experience, the new Gmail view will also continue to be available to users who wish to enable it through quick settings,” the company said in a blog post.
Google said it’s introducing an option in the quick settings menu to let you turn off Chat or Meet, so you can quickly hide sections you don’t interact with. Currently this toggle is located under Settings > Chat and Meet.
Picture credits: Google
Google is also introducing a neat redesign of Material You for Gmail end users. The compose button is now a rectangle with square corners, replacing the pill-shaped button. Additionally, there is a new tint for the compose button, side panel, and email reading.
Picture credits: Google
Along with this announcement, Google is introducing a new feature in Meet to let you see the RSVP status of all attendees on the meeting screen and use the Chat feature to contact people who have accepted the invite but don’t. have not yet joined the meeting. Ideally, Google should have also included an option to quickly send them an email reminder, just in case they weren’t using chat.
Picture credits: Google
The announcement of the redesign’s rollout comes days after the company said it would be inviting all Hangouts users to switch to chat in Gmail or the Chat app.
techcrunch Gt