Google’s 2018 Gmail update

This week Google announced “Smart Compose” for Gmail, a Machine Learning powered autocomplete feature for your email. Based on how you generally respond to emails Smart Compose will suggest complete sentences while you type.

Like most Gmail updates Smart Compose will come to consumers first and is expected to be rolled out over the next few weeks, those using Gmail as part of G Suite will have to wait a few months.

This update comes hot on the heels of a massive overhaul, which brought a plethora of UI improvements and security features. So now that the excitement is over let’s take a closer look at the recent updates.

UI Improvements & Efficiencies

The first thing you’ll notice from the Gmail update is the new Material Design inspired user interface, including some new design components such as the rounded menu items. While the design is clearly different, it still feels very familiar. The new design is packed with subtle features to help you do more. These include the ability to shrink the left side panel, view attachments without opening the message and even a new snooze button if you want to reply to specific emails later. Many of these features can already be found in Google’s Inbox, but it’s nice to see them finally making it into Gmail.

Google has also added a handy panel on the right giving users the ability to jump right into their calendar, tasks, as well can add a note or two to Google Keep.

Security Improvements

Google has also focused on improving the security of Gmail by highlighting potentially malicious emails. With phishing and malicious emails on the increase, this feature will hopefully prevent potential future ransomware attacks.

Finally, Google has gone all Mission:Impossible on us with its very own message self-destruct button. This option protects your most sensitive emails by preventing the ability to forward, copy, download or print these messages. You can also expire messages by setting an expiry period.

All in all these recent updates bring a new life to the Gmail platform, and I for one think it’s about time.

If you’re interested in getting access make sure you’ve enabled the new Gmail by going to Settings > “Try the new Gmail.” Next, go to the general tab in your settings, scroll down and enable “experimental access.”