Major Gmail update

  Gmail upgrade confirmed by Google, it will change how billions access emails

There’s a new battle taking place on your computers and your phones that will shape how you use technology for years to come. Google is leading the charge, albeit it’s not alone, and Gmail will likely change more than any other platform. That means serious decisions for its billion of users, who are well advised to think before clicking “yes.” Gmail is suddenly changing and introducing a new AI-powered search feature designed to deliver more relevant email search results by analysing user interactions with emails and senders. This update is part of a broader trend where AI tools are increasingly being integrated into technology platforms, raising privacy concerns about the handling of personal data. Google assures users that privacy is a priority and that they have control over these smart features through personalization settings. Following are the some of the important points:-

Gmail is introducing a smarter search feature powered by AI to provide more relevant email search results.

AI analysis is being applied to personal data, raising concerns about privacy and data handling.

Google assures users that privacy is a priority and that they have control over their data through personalization settings.

The new AI-powered search feature is available on the web and in the Gmail app for Android and iOS, with business users receiving it later.

Here we highlight the on-going competition among tech giants like Google and Microsoft to incorporate AI into their services, with Microsoft also introducing AI features in OneDrive. Users are advised to be cautious about how their data is used, as AI tools analyse personal information to enhance user experience. We’re talking AI and the breakneck speed with which new tools are being stitched into the platforms and services we all use daily. Apple may have been hit with an unintended slowdown, but not Google and Microsoft. There’s no stopping them. Take your Chrome search history as an example. It’s surprisingly personal, what you search on the web and how you term those searches. But AI will be let loose on that history, if you let it, using this to get to know you better so it can help you more. But this isn’t an executive assistant, it’s a technology platform owned by the world’s most valuable marketing machine. 

Google is about to overhaul the login procedure for Gmail users as part of a major security update to its email service. The current method of sending an SMS text message to verify a user’s identity will be phased out “over the next few months”, with a new QR code system replacing it. The switch is aimed at reducing the impact of “rampant, global SMS abuse”, a spokesperson said. “Just like we want to move past passwords with the use of things like passkeys, we want to move away from sending SMS messages for authentication,” said Ross Richendrfer, who works on security and privacy issues at Google. Or how about Microsoft’s new (and seemingly automated) opt-in to having its own Copilot AI let loose on OneDrive. “Do you want Microsoft Copilot sniffing your OneDrive files?” PC World asks. “Too late. Allowing AI to sniff your cloud files may seem a little creepy, but Microsoft says it will only work with your authorization.”

Two-step verification has become mandatory for the Gmail users around the world, with SMS text messages used to confirm that a user is the person they claim to be. While it is much safer than a password by itself, fraudsters have still managed to discover ways to bypass this security feature. And so we come to Gmail, and Google’s confirmation that “Gmail is rolling out a smarter search feature powered by AI to show you the most relevant results, faster.” No doubt this is useful. Factoring in how you engage with emails and senders to better serve up results, to resolve the pain in email search. “If you’ve ever struggled with finding information in your overflowing inbox,” Google says, “you’re not alone.” One method is through phishing attacks, where cyber criminals trick people into sharing the security codes by posing as someone from Google or their phone carrier. But again this is AI set loose on your personal information. Google assured about the privacy implications and said that “our priority is respecting our users’ privacy while giving them choice and control over their data. To that end, this particular tool is one of the 'smart features’ that users can control in their personalization settings.” 

Google said there has also been issues with users not having access to the device that the SMS verification code is sent to. “SMS codes are a source of heightened risk for users,” Mr Richendrfer said. “We’re pleased to introduce an innovative new approach to shrink the surface area for attackers and keep users safer from malicious activity.” There’s no suggestion that your data is being syphoned off to train models or enhance marketing profiles, but it is being analysed. Users must now need to decide on their own red lines. There’s a big difference between auditable on-device AI analysis versus what’s done in the cloud. Gmail and email more widely need to catch up with the on-device processing being applied to other platforms, and here’s another good reason why that’s becoming so critical. 

Gmail feature is finally coming to iPad and Mac

 Macs and iPads expected to get the Mail upgrade 

Last month, Apple released a software update to compatible iPhones, and one of the most interesting iOS 18.2 features was the new-look Mail app. So far, this has been limited to iPhones, but now reports available has revealed that this AI-tinged software is coming soon to iPads and Macs. Automatic email categorization could soon make its way to Apple’s tablets and computers. Following are the some of the important points:-

Similar to Gmail, the feature sorts emails into four tabs: Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions.

iPadOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 will reportedly catch up with iOS and adopt this feature in April.

With iOS 18.2, Apple Mail introduced automatic email categorization on iPhone.

Apple redesigned the built-in Mail app on iOS 18.2, introducing a feature which automatically sorts emails based on their categories. Like Gmail, the tool scans received emails and places them in one of the four relevant groups. Notably, the Apple Mail app on iPadOS and macOS hasn’t adopted the optional categorization perk, but that could change soon. For the latter, it will arrive in macOS 15.4 in April. It would be coming to iPad too, but no expected timeline is known. The Mac will get the upgraded Mail app that uses AI to prioritize messages and sort content into different inboxes . It uses artificial intelligence to automatically sort incoming mail into different categories, putting receipts into a transaction category, newsletters into a promotion folder and so on.

According to a report available, macOS Sequoia 15.4 and iPadOS 18.4 will pack the upgraded Apple Mail app with automatic categories. Once enabled, the feature will scan emails you receive and sort them into four tabs, Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. Users will also be able to view all emails in a single inbox or turn off the perk altogether. On iOS, describing it as “terrific”. However, we  were not too impressed when tested the updated iPhone Mail app last month, identifying three main problems: the lack of message indicators, added complications in deleting messages and emails being cut off. The new look in iOS 18.2 Mail is not that good, primarily because it's hard to tell when new mail has arrived in the different folders. Managing older emails from the same sender is also more difficult than it needs to be.

Unlike email summaries, Mail categories don’t require an Apple Intelligence-enabled device. So, like on iOS, older iPads and Macs will offer it when the above-mentioned software releases become available. Notably, the feature may not work if received emails aren’t in English. April is not near right now, so there’s a good chance that Apple will have refined things before it hits the new platforms. At the very least, turning it off should hopefully be as easy as it is on iOS: just hit the Mail settings area, and change the layout to “List View”.

Beyond that, iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 will introduce the highly anticipated, context-aware Siri. When the upgraded assistant launches, it should be able to understand what’s on users’ screens and answer queries accordingly. It will also tap into personal data, including texts, calendar events, etc. A Google Gemini integration may be in the works, too. April update will also see the long-trailed improvements to the Siri digital assistant, which will “be able to better tap into personal information and use App Intents technology to more precisely control apps.” Before 15.4 arrives, other AI features will come to Apple desktops and laptops with the release of macOS 15.3 in a near future. That means you can expect things like the introduction of the Genmoji custom emoji on Macs. Apple’s X.4 software updates should debut to all users in April. Though, those enrolled in the company’s developer and public beta programs will likely get to test the pre-release builds months before then.

Gmail introduces Gemini-powered Contextual Smart Replies

Contextual Smart Replies by Gemini in the Gmail app

Following the announcement at I/O 2024, Google is now rolling out Contextual Smart Replies to Gmail for Android and iOS. In 2017, Smart Reply in Gmail was introduced, a feature which utilizes machine learning to suggest three quick responses to emails based on the email's content. Thanks to this feature, users have saved time, especially when on the go, by easily responding to emails with minimal effort. Now, compared to Smart Reply, the contextual version is “meant for detailed responses.” Gemini “can analyse the context of an email” and suggest replies that are “tailored to your conversation.”

However, we realize there are scenarios in which users would like to respond with more than a simple “Sounds good to me!” or a “Yes, I’m working on it”. As a result, we’re excited to announce a new Gemini in Gmail feature, contextual Smart Replies, that will offer more detailed responses to fully capture the intent of your message. The three Smart Replies appear in a carousel, with the first line noting the high-level direction of each generated option and how they differ from one another. You can long-press on “each response to get a quick preview of the text.” Tapping inserts the suggestion, which includes a greeting and closing, into the body of the email for you to make further edits.

After initiating an email reply, users will see a few response options at the bottom of their screen that take the full content of the email thread into consideration. Hover over each response to get a quick preview of the text, select the one that feels right for the situation, and edit it as you see fit or send the response immediately. As a start, only English is supported. Contextual Smart Replies are rolling out starting today and will be fully available in the near future. It joins the Summarize feature that now works on individual emails (instead of just threads) and Gmail Q&A, which is the desktop side panel for mobile. 

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why it’s important 

The contextual Smart Reply feature saves time and makes inbox management easier. 

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 

End users: Make sure “Smart features and personalization” is enabled in Gmail to access this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about smart features & controls and contextual Smart Reply in Gmail. 

Rollout pace 

Web & Mobile: 

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on 26 Sep, 2024 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 

Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium 

Google One AI Premium 

Gmail Blue Checkmark for Android and iOS

 Gmail introduces blue verification sender checkmark to Android and iOS

It's been a year since Google introduced blue-coloured verification checkmarks for its email service, Gmail. Now, the company is taking the safety feature a couple of notches further and adding it to Gmail apps for Android and iOS. The blue checkmarks which Gmail introduced to verify senders last year are now coming to the Android and iOS app. For the unversed, the blue checkmark helps users verify that the email they received is from a trusted source, not some scamster trying to prey on unsuspecting people on the web. The checkmark is displayed in an email on the right side of the sender's name. The Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) standard shows brand logos in the “avatar slot” next to a sender’s name and address. For example, you see the Apple logo instead of a generic “A” in the circle.

Gmail shows the blue verified checkmark for senders who have adopted BIMI with a registered trademark (VMC). Google says “BIMI promotes another layer of security to Gmail by requiring strong authentication and verification of logos before they’re displayed in Gmail as avatars.” It's part of a Gmail feature called BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification). BIMI also allows senders with a registered trademark to verify their brand logo through a third party before displaying it as a Gmail avatar. After launching on the web last year, it’s now rolling out to Gmail for Android and iOS. On mobile, it appears between the sender name and date. Tapping will show the following prompt: “This sender of this email has verified that they own [example.com] and the logo in the profile image.”

Currently, Gmail on the web will display a verified checkmark for senders who have adopted BIMI with a registered trademark (VMC). Over the next few weeks, users will also see those verified checkmark icons while using the Gmail application on Android and iOS (Apple Mail or other mail applications are not supported). Note that this update is applicable for VMCs only. Some senders may not have a registered trademark but want to prove their legitimacy to the receiver. For those cases, Gmail now supports a new type of BIMI certificate called Common Mark Certificate (CMC). The certificate allows "a broader range of senders to utilize BIMI, who might not have the registered trademark required for a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)." These blue checkmarks in Gmail for Android and iOS are rolling out “over the next few weeks” to personal Google and Workspace accounts.

Meanwhile, Gmail is supporting a “new type of BIMI certificate being issued by Certificate Authorities (CA) that allows for a “broader range of senders to utilize BIMI, who might not have the registered trademark required for a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC).”  Senders can have their brand avatars displayed in Gmail with a CMC, but it won't carry a blue checkmark like VMC, the search giant added. The blue checkmark has started rolling out for Android and iOS devices and will take about two weeks to reach all users. It will be available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts in the near future. With a CMC, the sender’s brand avatar will be displayed without the Gmail verified checkmark that’s displayed for VMCs.

Upgrade about Gmail's Gemini button

 Gmail's Gemini button can now summarize your emails, draft emails and more  

The Gemini experience within Gmail app is getting better.  Gmail is getting an AI-powered upgrade. At its Google I/O 2024 conference, Google announced that Gmail users will be able to search, summarize and draft their emails using its Gemini AI technology. It will also be able to take action on emails for more complex tasks, like helping you process an e-commerce return by searching your inbox, finding the receipt and filling out an online form. Following are the some of the important points:-

A new Gemini button in the Gmail for Android app was reported earlier.

Google has added new features to the button, including quick prompts for suggested actions.

The button can also be used for additional capabilities like searching within your mailbox and drafting emails.

Google has been making steady strides in embedding its Gemini AI more deeply into its suite of services and our digital lives. With Gemini already on its way to replace Google Assistant as the default digital assistant, its role within the Gmail app is also expanding significantly. In one demo at I/O, the company showed how a parent who wanted to catch up on what was going on at their child’s school could ask Gemini to summarize all the recent emails from the school, Google says. In addition to the body of the emails themselves, the feature will also be able to analyse attachments, like PDFs. The resulting summary will include key points or action items. In another demo, Google showed off how Gemini in Gmail could help a homeowner doing home renovations compare different quotes from contractors who had sent their bids in via email.

Earlier, we reported about a new Gemini button in the Gmail Android app (version 2024.05.19.635289964). By tweaking some flags, we managed to activate this feature to explore its functions. Now, with the release of Gmail version 2024.05.26.638440827, Google has introduced some noteworthy updates to the button’s functionality. Google has refined the user interface for the Gemini button. It now offers new quick prompts such as “Summarize this email,” “List the next steps,” and “Suggest a reply.” In addition to the suggested actions, we can also use the button for a variety of tasks, such as drafting email replies, altering the tone of drafted responses and even handling some non-email-related queries.

From a sidebar in Gmail, users can ask Gemini to help them organize receipts from their emails and even put them in a Drive folder, or extract the information from the receipts and put them into a spread sheet. If that’s something you do often as a business traveller tracking expenses, Gemini can also offer to automate the workflow for use in the future. Previously, Gmail for Android added a “summarize this email” button below the email’s subject line, which had a limited function. The newly introduced star-shaped Gemini button, located next to the archive button, broadens the scope of tasks you can perform, going beyond just summarizing emails.

Whether Gmail users will want to turn AI tech on in their inboxes remains to be seen. Users in the past were uncomfortable with how Google used to scan emails for ad-targeting purposes, even though the system was automated and no humans were involved. Today, there’s heightened concern about how AI is being trained and how people’s data is being used in that process. Gmail users may be uncomfortable with the idea that an AI is able to “read” their emails for them, despite the advantages and efficiencies such a system brings. In addition to scanning Gmail, Gemini will be able to draft emails for you, Google said. Also at Workspace suite, Gemini will be able to offer highlights from meetings in Google Meet. 

Gmail redesigned

 Gmail redesign introduces a chat-style UI for replying to emails

After introducing emoji reactions and tweaking the search bar, a bigger Gmail update introduces a chat-style reply UI on Android. Most people today reply to emails after scrolling to the bottom. You get options for Reply, Reply all, and Forward, as well as the new emoji reactions. (You can also reply from the top of the email.)

Gmail (via Android Police) is now testing a Reply field that sticks to the bottom — in a nice time saver — of the screen. This text box looks a lot like Google Chat with a pill-shaped container flanked by buttons for attaching media and emoji. The box lets you select a reply type, as well as edit who you’re sending to, at the left, while you can expand to the current full screen UI on the other end. 

Old vs New

Tapping opens a keyboard and slides up the reply field with a send button appearing at the right. You can write your reply and still see the email body to preserve context, which is the most meaningful change. It’s not clear where Quick Replies live in this UI. 

This Gmail redesign is a pretty big change, especially for an app that doesn’t see that many, if Google decides to proceed. It’s not yet widely rolled out at this point and not appearing on several devices. It follows work on a voice compose UI that should be aligned with Duet AI.