Users who are tired of the Web Gmail client being different from the mobile versions may rejoice soon as Google is planning an update that will hopefully bridge the gap between the two versions. The company is already said to be testing the user interface (UI) overhaul that is in store with the upcoming update.
As Gmail users know, the desktop-based Web client has many features that are missing from the mobile version. It has Google Talk, GChat, Hangouts, Google Voice, Google+ and other features built into the browser client. However, depending on device and platform, these features are often absent on the mobile client without additional downloads or apps.
A UI is certainly needed for many of the mobile versions of Gmail. However, based on various reports, the Web client or desktop version of Gmail will be the version that gets the big UI overhaul.
Geek.com has gotten its hands on the new client, with some images to boot. The new interface apparently has been so redesigned that it will function across various screen resolutions "without losing functionality." It also "closely resembles the mobile experience that we leaked recently."
This means that in the near future, the two clients may be converged, or at least to a degree they will share similarities in the way they look and function. There will be a fly-in menu system, Geek says, instead of the tab system currently present. There will also be a similarly collapsible Hangouts section on the opposite end of the UI.
"This setup lets you open everything up if you're a fan of using the whole display for your email, but it also supports shrinking the window down so you can glance at your Inbox whenever you need it," Geek reported.
There will also be various "reminder creation bubbles" at the bottom right-hand side of the UI. A compose button will be in this section as well.
What seems nice about the changes if they hold any water is that Google will be integrating even more functionality from Hangout and Google+ into the Gmail client system. This means reminders will be present when users log in and won't have to use a range of apps for calendars or reminders. It will all be integrated into a seamless package and the mobile and desktop versions will be closer than ever.
Keep in mind that the changes will bring the desktop-based Web client closer to the proposed mobile client that is said to also be in the works, and not closer to the current one. It seems Google is planning big things for both clients and whether they are released separately or during the same time frame remains to be seen. Also, keep in mind that these screenshots are possibly from an early version of the proposed client that may be changed with further testing and implementation.
Google is relatively quiet on the matter, but you can check for updates periodically on the company's official blog.
