Google is planning to launch a new Gmail design, alongside new features for the popular email service, according to a message sent to G Suite administrators.
There are no official screenshots yet that show the new Gmail interface, but it appears that somebody already saw the service's new look.
New Look For Gmail Coming Soon
An email from Google to G Suite administrators, acquired by The Verge, revealed that a new design and several new features are coming soon to Gmail. Google promises a "fresh, clean look for Gmail on the web," which may be long overdue for the email service.
The features that will be added to Gmail with the new design include Smart Reply, which already exists in the mobile version of the service; easier access to G Suite apps; the option to snooze emails, which will make them reappear in the user's inbox after a certain time; and easier access to Google Calendar.
Google also said that it will be moving Gmail Offline, a standalone Chrome app, to the web. As part of this, native offline support will be added to Gmail by June, with further details to be provided at a later date. The update, however, might break off compatibility with popular browser add-ons for Gmail, at least until the developers roll out updates of their own.
What Will The New Gmail Design Look Like?
In October 2017, the web version of the Google Calendar was revamped with modern icons and colors, plus a cleaner interface that copies the service's mobile app. For the new Gmail design, it is expected that Google will do the same thing and draw inspiration from the Gmail app, with an interface that will follow its Material Design language.
To help with the guessing game for the new look of Gmail, a reader contacted TechCrunch. Apparently, he saw an employee of Google trying out the new Gmail interface while on public transport.
"It was a hybrid of Gmail and Inbox," a certain Sahil Bhutani told TechCrunch's Romain Dillet. Bhutani said that the left-side column looked like Inbox, with every folder coming with icons and featuring dividers for the categories, while the right side looked like a bigger version of Gmail. The background color also carried a blue gradient.
In any case, we will get the first look at the redesigned Gmail over the coming weeks, as it will be made available as an early access program to both G Suite customers and personal users.
