After weeks of rumours and much speculation, Google has finally released its Gmail update.
This huge upgrade not only brings a less cluttered look to the popular email service but also a swathe of new and very useful features.
Google is trying hard to help its users cope with the barrage of daily emails and there’s plenty of neat tricks to make sure an important message never gets forgotten again.
With over one billion Gmail users across the world this new rollout is going to staggered over the coming weeks so you won’t automatically see the changes.
In fact, Google says it may take a few months before everyone is switched over to its all-new Gmail service.
However, there is a neat little trick which allows you to get the update right now.
To test out the new all-new Gmail simply open your current inbox in a web browser and go to Settings in the top right and select “Try the new Gmail”.
This will switch you from the old version to this new upgrade.
Once that’s done you’ll be good to go with Google’s new email and here’s the best five features you need to try.
1. CONFIDENTIAL MODE KEEPS THINGS SAFE
There’s a new way to keep emails safe in Gmail with the launch of Confidential Mode.
This new feature allows the sender to have total control over what happens to a message once it lands in a recipient’s inbox.
Confidential Mode can block an email from being forwarded to anyone else and will stop anyone printing or downloading its content.
Another nice extra is setting authentications.
This means an email can’t be opened without a unique text message being received and opened as well.
2. GET A NUDGE
We’ve all had emails getting lost amongst the daily spam from pizza restaurants and insurance companies.
But the new Gmail will try and help users manage their inbox better with something Google calls Nudge.
Using some clever AI, Gmail can now work out if an important message may have been missed.
It will then give users a little nudge to respond and will even move the email to a more prominent position as a reminder that it needs some attention.
3. DON’T CLICK ON THAT SPAM
Spam and phishing emails are the curse of owning an inbox but things are changing in the new Gmail.
Google can now instantly warn users if it suspects an email is from a fraudulent source.
Not only are these big red alerts much more prominent but they will also give clear instructions to the user about what might be hidden inside.
This should keep people far safer online and help avoid downloading or viewing dangerous content.
4. SPAM..SPAM..SPAM
Speaking of spam there’s another reason why Gmail is improving the overall experience.
No matter how careful you’ve been avoided ticking that “I don’t want marketing emails” box, many still seem to slip through the net.
Clever companies then make it hard to unsubscribe to this spam by hiding the option in tiny text at the bottom of message.
Thankfully, there’s now a much faster way to rid your inbox of these irritating messages.
Using artificial intelligence, unsubscribe suggestions appear based on cues like how many emails you get from a sender and how many of them you actually read.
One tap and you’ll never get an email from that company again.
5. NEVER MISS A VITAL EMAIL AGAIN
Gmail will end the nightmare of missing a vital message with the launch of High-priority notifications.
This new setting means you only get notified when something important drops into your inbox, cutting down on alerts and keeping interruptions to a minimum.
