Just days after Google rolled out new versions of its Google+ app for Android and iOS, the company today announced that its overhauling its Gmail apps as well. Over on the Official Gmail Blog, Google has detailed its "new inbox" for Gmail, which aims to help users regain control of their email by dividing new messages up into categories that are shown in different tabs, such as Social, Promotions and Updates. Users can select which tabs they'd like to be shown and can also make email from certain senders always be shown in a specific tab.
When users first open their updated Gmail app on Android or iOS, they'll will be presented with a Primary email tab that displays general messages from other people. Clicking the button in the upper left corner will slide the inbox over and present the other email categories. Users will also be able to view their labels, starred messages and sent messages from this side panel. Google says that the new Gmail inbox will be made available to Android and iOS users "within the next few weeks."
Desktop Gmail-ers aren't being left out of the new inbox fun, as they'll also be able to have their messages organized into different tabs. The new inbox will also be rolling out to desktop users in the coming weeks, though Google notes that anyone that doesn't feel like waiting that long should keep an eye on their gear menu and select the "Configure inbox" option when it pops up. The company also notes that users can easily switch back to the old view or any other inbox type whenever they'd like.
This new Gmail inbox looks like an interesting way for users to have their email automatically organized so that it's easier to dig into the messages that they're looking for at any given time. Now we have to wait and see how well the new inbox can actually organize messages, so hopefully the Android and iOS app updates aren't too far off. Until they begin rolling out, you can check out a video demo of the new desktop Gmail inbox down below.
Via The Official Gmail Blog, Gmail for Android (Google Play), Gmail for iOS (iTunes)
