Gmail had passed one billion users in 2016, thanks to the dedicated Google team members who committedly worked to improve an already-amazing platform. Did you know that Gmail is one of those email barons that roll out updates and improvements almost every month?
Well, you would know if you upgraded your Gmail account to its latest version.
The last major update was made in 2018. But before we learn about the newly installed Gmail features, let’s dive into how to access the new integrated Gmail layout features.
As a Gmail user, you won’t be able to use its new features if you have not upgraded the Gmail account manually. Luckily, upgrading the Gmail account will only require you to follow a few simple steps. Here is what you have to do:
- Click on ‘Settings’ in the top-right side of the screen
- Select “Try the new Gmail.”
Next, Gmail will ask you to select a pointer among “Compact,” “Default,” and “Comfortable” views. But don’t worry for you can change this default option later on from the Settings menu.
Once you do this, the Gmail layout will change in the next second. Since you have upgraded the system, your old Gmail will wear all the new designs while remaining rooted to the core functionality. If you find the new feature confusing, you can revert to the Settings menu to work with Gmail’s old version.
That brings us to the main question – What are the new features of Gmail?
-
Hover-based email organisation
You will notice a flash of icons whenever you highlight one of the lines of your inbox as you scroll through the inbox. You will probably be familiar with these icons if you are a regular Gmail user. But if these icons are unknown to you, these icons (from left to right) are Archive, Delete, Mark as (Read or Unread), and the Snooze button (more on Snooze later).
The newly added Hover-based email organization makes these single-click functions replace the requirement to highlight every email. Also, the feature allows you to take action once highlighted.
How many times has Gmail confused with the reply options? When was the last time you found yourself stuck on what to reply to an incoming email? Or do you feel that you respond with the exact words every time you receive an email? So, if your replies are getting monotonous, Gmail’s all-new “Suggested replies” option might help you out.
Where to find this new feature? You will receive relevant suggestion replies within small boxes on the lower side of every mail. This is Gmail’s way of suggesting text clips to you, prompting your response to the received email. For instance, your manager belays an instruction via email. At the bottom of the received email, you will see answers like these:
You can start an email draft with a reply by clicking on the box you would like to reply with. You can also edit the pre-structured text in a way you see fit.
The new hide or expand menu option gives Gmail users more space to read the emails in their inbox. Once you click on the Gmail app, the menu on the left-hand side appears similar to how it did previously. However, by clicking on the hamburger menu, you will find that the icon quickly collapses to a narrow column of icons, thereby increasing the inbox space for more emails.
You can hover over these icons to see the entire menu. You can additionally restore the old menu bar by clicking on the three horizontal lines on the topmost area of the screen.
Headings and display density were subject to changes in Gmail’s old version. But with new display density features, Gmail offers entirely new designs that may change your core preferences. How to do it? Head to the Settings menu, and click on the first icon on the menu list – “Display density”. You can quickly alter between Compact, Default, and Comfortable by clicking on this icon.
Nudges are all about receiving reminders for unattended emails. Nudges is a new feature added to Gmail’s feature library. For instance, you have an email in your inbox that you have not responded to in a few days. Your unresponsiveness will make Google’s algorithm think that the email warrants a response. As a response, Google moves the email to the top of your inbox along with a reminder to follow up to the message. As a Gmail user, you will welcome this handy new form of Gmail reminders.
As you open the Gmail app on your device, you will find several new icons on the right-hand side of the screen, each icon representing a different feature. Each of these icons will help you perceive the meaning differently and, therefore, help you be more productive. The topmost icon on this list is the Calendar icon you can use to integrate with Google Calendar. By enabling this feature, you can view your scheduled events and add any new events at any time.
-
Get add-ons
You will find a “+” icon at the bottom of the list Settings menu. Click on the icon to go to the G Suite Marketplace. This icon will let you browse a list of third-party add-ons and extensions. For example, if you select a Gmail-compatible add-on, you will see its hero emerge on the right side of the bar.
-
Protect sensitive documents and emails
Go to the Setting menu to find a newly added Gmail feature, “Confidential mode.” Click on this mode to activate it, as it will be better able to protect the most sensitive content in your mailbox. You will have to activate the protection mode by clicking on the lock-and-clock icon on the lowermost row of a new message you are composing.
When activated, the Confidential model restricts your recipients from forwarding any protected email, downloading any attachments, copying/pasting any email content, or printing anything in the email. Additionally, this feature will allow you to set an expiration date for an email. On the day the date arrives, the email will be automatically removed from your recipient’s inbox.
Previously you could hover over a chosen contact’s email address, photo, or name and find a handful of important information on that person. With the inclusion of a range of new hover cards in Gmail, you will also find several convenient icons that allow you to email another user, start a Hangout conversation with them, and create a scheduled event with the selected contact, and video chat with them.
Parting words,
Users are feeling delighted with Gmail’s redesigned interface and newly added features. So, if you are still unaware of the features, go through this blog and learn them. The new Gmail features have already been rolled out to users. Use these features to make your mailing life more meaningful, confidential, and convenient.
Author’s Bio: Courtney Jackson holds a Ph.D. in computer science. He is actively associated with Assignmenthellp.us, and he offers students case study writing help.
You can start an email draft with a reply by clicking on the box you would like to reply with. You can also edit the pre-structured text in a way you see fit.
