You may have noticed that Gmail looks a little different this week. Especially if you view it on your computer. That's because Google rolled out an automatic update to Gmail that tweaks its design so that Google's services — like Chat, Meet and Spaces — are more easily accessible. Specifically, you can quickly access them via a navigation bar on the left side of the screen. While convenient, it also adds a little clutter if you don't particularly want it. Show The Gmail update has rolled out to a lot of users this week, but not all. So if your Gmail doesn't look any different than it previously has, you're in the clear for now. And fortunately there's a quick and easy way to get it back to the way it was. How to Switch Gmail Back to the Old Look
And — boom — you're all set. If you feel the need to go back to the new look of Gmail, you can easily do that too. Simply follow the same exact steps as above and, under Quick Settings, select the link that says "Try out the new Gmail view." How to hide the side panel in Gmail's new lookThe new-look Gmail has a lot going on. In addition, the new side panel with quick access to Chat, Meet and Spaces, there's also the traditional side panel with your traditional options for Gmail, such as Inbox, Starred, Drafts, Trash, all your labels and so on. If you want to clear up some screen real estate, you can easily hide the latter side panel. Simply click the icon in the top-left corner (right next to the Gmail logo and above the "Mail" icon). This will hide Gmail's main menu panel. If you click that same icon again, the menu panel will reappear. Of course, as with all web service design changes, the option to revert is going to be limited time only. Eventually, Google is all but certain to remove the option to opt-out. But until then, enjoy it while it lasts. LEARN MORE
Update: Google has also upgraded Drive with a slick new feature that should make life a lot easier, while Docs is also set to boost your productivity with new AI-powered features. The Gmail update this video discusses is rolling out to all users. Gmail’s big redesign is now rolling out to all users of Google’s email service and app, bringing in a refreshed look that aims to integrate more services and streamline functions. The whole idea of the redesign is to better integrate Google apps like Meet, Spaces and Chat with Gmail. Up until now, Gmail has been a somewhat cluttered collection of drop-down tabs that serve up the aforementioned services in different ways; for example, clicking on meetings opens up new browser windows, while Spaces serves up a chat feed. As such, the current interface can get rather tricky to use when you’re awash with messages, chats, and meetings. But the “integrated view” sets up these apps in a cleaner menu with buttons for each supported by a notification bubble that makes it easy to see what’s going on at a glance. This menu sits alongside the current Mail menu rather than below it, which provides a much neater and cleaner look. How to enable the new Gmail interfaceThe redesigned version of Gmail is rolling out now, but do be aware that it might not have reached you yet. If it has, you can enable the Gmail redesign by clicking on the Settings menu in the top right, then under “Quick Settings” click on the “Try out the new Gmail View” option. You’ll then reload Gmail in a new window, which should then serve up the redesigned interface. The tweaked collapsible panel now makes it easier to navigate between apps when the panel is hidden, and hovering over them triggers a consistent pop up menu. And a new notification bubble for Chat makes it easier to see when you get a new message and reply to it quickly. These changes won't revolutionize the way you use Gmail. But they promise to make things easier and less cluttered, which in a world of constant emails and notifications is bound to be a boon. Get instant access to
breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at Tom’s Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he’s also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face. |
