Gmail’s new look is about to become more visible to people, even if they didn’t ask for it

Google began rolling out an updated user interface for Gmail in February that brings Meet, Chat, and Spaces closer and implements its more Material You styling effects. Starting today, this is going to be opt-out rather than opt-in, so your account will very soon switch to the new view by default.

It’s not a huge change, but as Google transitions through its current flavor-of-the-week messaging app and transforms its workspace suite into a better competitor for Office, it’s looking to update experiences. focuses more on

In case you can’t tell what’s different here, the updated UI collects buttons for Mail, Meet, Space, and Chat into a list at the top of the left rail instead of showing multiple conversations from each in the list. They’re still easily accessible without having to do everything on the screen at once, and you can jump right into a conversation in one of the sections as a list pops out when you mouse over its icon.

Image: Google

And if you just want to keep one particular type of communication on the screen without the others (like Gmail), it’s a little easier to do so because Chats and the rest are no longer listed in your inbox and under the label.

According to Google, you can choose which apps are included in the quick settings menu there, where you’ll be able to switch back to the old form if you want. Unlike the usual 15-day rollout for the new features, Google says it’s an “extended rollout,” so while it’s coming to workspace and personal Gmail accounts alike, it may take a couple of weeks for your interface to change. May take longer. its own. If you just want to give it a try, you should be able to opt-in (and back out) from the quick settings menu right now, as long as you’ve already switched from Hangouts to Chat and left Chat put it on the menu.