It's hard to remember an email era beforeGmail. When Google launched its own free version of webmail in April 2004, it came packed with an unimaginable storage capacity — 1GB! — and speed that replaced what can only now be called the dark ages of email, a time that consisted of Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, and AOL Mail. (If you want a laugh, or a reminder of the years B.G., before Gmail, just rewatch You've Got Mail.)
Of course, all innovations need updates and Gmail is long overdue for one. Today, Google is launching its first major refresh of Gmail in almost a decade.
The new Gmail comes packed with smart features (an easier way to unsubscribe from newsletters you never read!), a brand new look (get to attachments more easily!), and boosted security (dodge those phishing emails!). You'll find new tools that address your biggest pain points as well as problems you probably didn't even know you had.
Ahead, a breakdown of everything you can look forward to seeing when you open your Gmail today. (Note: To switch to the new Gmail, tap the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner and select "Try the new Gmail" from the drop-down menu.)
Get A Nudge
Let's be real: It's hard to keep up with email. Even if you have the best intentions and inbox zero goals, one day of falling behind can be a death toll. If you don't answer a message in the moment, it's scarily easy to forget to respond later on.
A new "nudging" tool will help. For any emails you haven't responded to in multiple days, you'll see a proactive reminder alongside the subject line letting you know how many days have passed and asking if you want to reply now.
There's also a way to "snooze" messages: When you scroll over a message, tap the clock icon on the far right and select when you want to see it pop up to the top of your inbox.
These updates won't solve your email FOMO, but they will help you stay on top of things.
Respond more quickly
A year ago, Gmail brought a feature called "smart reply" to Android and iOS. Now, it's bringing it to the web.
The smart, time-saving tool uses AI to suggest three quick responses to a message. You can tap one of these and send it instantly, or tap and edit it for a more detailed response.
Keep Track Of The Important Emails & Get Rid Of Ones You Never Read
Raise your hand if your inbox is full of unopened newsletters you were required to sign up for when entering a contest. Everyone? Yep, sounds familiar. The new Gmail tackles your subscription problem head-on by suggesting you unsubscribe from emails you never read.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you probably want to know when you get a message from a coworker or business partner you're waiting to hear from. Gmail will keep track of the people you respond to most often, and give you an option to only get notifications when you hear from those individuals to help cut through the clutter.
(Note: Both of these features are only available for the mobile version of Gmail.)
Catch Up On Email On The Plane
There's no way around it — plane WiFi sucks. It's slow, cuts out, and, half the time, doesn't even work. Gmail's new offline mode is built specifically for these frustrating moments, and other times you can't get WiFi.
Tap the gear icon in the upper right-hand corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu. Then, choose "offline" along the upper toolbar and install Gmail Offline.
Multitask Like A Millennial
Are your worst nightmares full of browsers with 20,000 tabs open? Stay tuned for a Blockbuster horror flick with that very premise coming to a theater near you.
In the meantime, skip the nightmare and use Gmail's new side panel, a function that lets you keep your email open while adjusting a meeting invite. You'll see icons for the calendar, Google Keep (a place to take notes), and tasks.
Activate Top Secret Spy Mode
"Confidential mode" isn't really for government secrets, but if recent issues with insecure emails are any indication, the current political administration could certainly use it.
When you need to send an email that needs an extra level of security — such as one with your social security number or credit card information — you can tap a new lock-and-clock icon that appears along the bottom toolbar. This allows you to set an expiration date, at which point the email will delete itself (think of it as a Mission Impossible -style self-destructing email), and a two-factor authentication code.
Catch The Scam Red-Handed
Gmail is no stranger to phishing scams, which can be tricky to spot when they come from familiar contacts. Now, sketchy emails will come with large, red warnings, that you alert against clicking on a link or downloading an attachment.
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