Gmail to Get New Design, Smart Reply on Web; Android APK Suggests Enhanced Assistant Capabilities

Google is planning a major design overhaul for Gmail as seen in the Early Adopter Program which is said to offer a "new Gmail experience" in "the coming weeks". As per online reports, Gmail is getting new features such as Smart Reply on Gmail web, native offline support, and improved access to other Google apps like Google Calendar directly from the Gmail app. Similarly, version 7.26 of the Google app also gets new features that include added capabilities to Google Assistant and Google Home.

In an email sent to G Suite administrators, as reported by Android Police and 9To5Google, features in the Early Adopter Program have been outed. These include a redesigned and clean look for Gmail's desktop version, ability to snooze emails (like Inbox), and Smart Reply feature for emails on the Web interface - to recall, the Smart Reply feature rolled out to mobile versions back in May last year. Gmail will also get better access to G Suite apps like Google Calendar as well as native offline support - although the latter will arrive sometime in June. Native offline support is said to replace the Gmail Offline Chrome app.

The report also suggests that several major Chrome extensions will continue to operate with the revised Gmail experience, however developers should tread with caution before enabling the new experience within organisations.

"We're working on some major updates to Gmail (they're still in draft phase). We need a bit more time to compose ourselves, so can't share anything yet-archive this for now, and we'll let you know when it's time to hit send," said Google apparently replying to the query on these upcoming features.

Separately, according to an APK teardown, the Google app on Android is also getting certain new features including email capabilities on Google Home smart speakers, removed references for "Google Assistant for Households", and capabilities on Assistant to make reservations and also help with Stocks preferences.