Nuked Google has announced that Gmail’s new layout will be available to try starting in February; become default by April; and become the only option by the end of Q2 2022. The view makes it so Google’s other messaging tools, which are part of its business-focused workspace suite, are no longer just Windows floating alongside your emails.
Starting February 8th, Google says you’ll be able to start testing the layout for yourself. Anyone who has n’t opted in will be switched over to the new layout. That option will go away by the end of the second quarter.
The new interface looks like it’ll give you easy access to other tools without having them always on the screen. For those looking to focus on one thing at a time, it all happens on one screen, which is pleasing if you love data density.
Company says there will also be notification bubbles to let you know if other tools need your attention. The company says that there could be less distracting than having a list of all your chats living to the left or right of your emails.
Google has shown that it wants to deep integrate all its work-related products together. This layout gives us a taste of what that could look like, with tools like spaces letting you jump into a spreadsheet without leaving Gmail.
Gmail’s search will also turn up chat messages in the coming months. The services will also be more integrated, according to the company.
