All articles tagged with #gmail
Google is testing new 'Live' voice features in Keep and Gmail, previewed at Google I/O and expected to roll out over the summer; Gmail Live is already seen in beta for some users, while Keep Live lets you create or edit notes by speaking (with reminders handed to Tasks). Google also hinted that Docs and other apps may get Gemini-powered conversational abilities, signaling a broader move toward voice-first interactions.
Google has rolled out Gemini-powered AI email summaries in Gmail worldwide for free, across Android, iOS, and the web. While these AI overviews help you skim threads and use features like AI Inbox and Ask Gemini, you can disable them in Gmail’s settings under General > Manage Workplace smart features, though turning them off also cuts Gemini’s access to Workspace apps such as Drive and Tasks. The rollout is gradual and languages are currently limited (English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish), with some AI features still restricted to US Google AI Pro/Ultra subscribers for non-thread use.
Google's Ask Gemini in Drive now supports Gmail as a data source, allowing eligible Google Workspace, AI Pro, and Ultra subscribers to ask multi-turn AI questions across emails, files, and folders for more accurate results; the feature is generally available (out of beta) to these Enterprise plans.
Proton Mail is expanding its Easy Switch off-ramp from Gmail, now allowing users to send from a Gmail address inside Proton and import Gmail data (attachments, calendars, contacts, and more), while promising stronger privacy through end-to-end encryption and removal of trackers, ads, and spam; Google can’t read your email activity once connected, Proton can auto-pull new messages, and Gmail access to the Proton inbox is not granted, though users can still manage Gmail messages with other clients.
Google is gradually rolling out a gradient redesign for Workspace icons, updating apps like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar and Tasks with colorful gradients. The new icons are visible on Google's homepage launcher, but in-app icons haven’t all updated yet. The refresh moves away from the old four-color scheme to softer gradients (Calendar and Meet show distinct blue/yellow shifts; Keep and Tasks also look different). A broader rollout is expected around Google I/O 2026.
Google is reportedly piloting a 5GB free storage cap for new Gmail accounts in select regions, down from the standard 15GB; users can unlock more space by linking a verified phone number, a move that could steer users toward paid Google One plans and bolster account security.
Rumors suggest Google may reduce the free 15 GB storage for new Gmail accounts to 5 GB to deter spam and mass signups; evidence includes a Reddit post showing a prompt to provide a phone number to unlock 15 GB, and Google’s support text reportedly changing to “up to 15 GB,” fueling speculation that a rollout or A/B test could be underway. Google has not confirmed any change; users can manage storage by upgrading via Google One or deleting content.
Google is rolling out a gradient-based icon refresh across more apps, giving Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Keep, Tasks and others distinct new icons instead of the old four-color set; Drive also returns to its green-yellow-blue palette and Calendar adopts a blue date-mark icon, as Google moves toward a broader branding refresh ahead of I/O.
Google is reportedly redesigning Workspace app icons—including Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Meet, and more—with a gradient style and color-shift away from the four-brand palette, giving a fresher look that hints at deeper AI integration; rollout hasn’t begun yet.
Engadget explains how to disable Google's Gemini AI across Google Workspace: first turn off smart features in Gmail (which also disables them in Chat and Meet), then adjust Workspace smart-feature settings; completely removing Gemini in an organization may require admin action, and turning off Gemini can affect basic features like spelling and inbox categorization, so you can selectively disable Workspace features while keeping some AI helpers in other Google apps.
Google is rolling out a feature that lets you change your Gmail username (the part before @gmail.com) without resetting your account data. Your old address remains available as an alias, and all data stays intact, with the option to switch back. Availability is currently limited to the US and India, and you can change your username only once per year (up to four usernames total per account, since you can change it three times after the original). Chromebook users may need to remove and re-add their Google account, and you may need to sign back into some apps after the change.
Google has rolled out native client-side end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to Gmail’s Android and iOS apps for Workspace customers with Enterprise Plus licenses (and related add-ons). Users can compose and read E2EE emails directly in the Gmail app, while recipients on other services can read them in a web browser; keys are user-controlled and stored outside Google’s servers, with admin setup via the CSE Admin Console.
Google is rolling out in the US a new option to change your Gmail address (they call it your 'account username') with a limit of once per year. To switch, go to Personal info > Email in your Google Account (or Gmail Settings > Manage Your Google Account on mobile). Your old emails will continue to arrive at the old address, and no data is lost during the transition. This can help users who want to fix a deadname or adopt a more professional email. If you’d rather avoid Google altogether, Proton Mail is highlighted as a privacy-focused alternative that can import data from Google.
Google is rolling out a US-wide option to change the Gmail username (the part before @gmail) without creating a new account. You can switch once per 12 months, with data intact and the old address kept as an alias you can still log in with; some services may still show the old handle, and Chromebook users may need to re-login and back up data due to related caveats.
Gmail’s Gemini AI features may automatically access your messages to train AI models. To opt out, disable Smart Features in two desktop steps: Settings > General to uncheck Smart Features, then select “Manage Workplace smart feature settings” to turn off Gemini-related features; on mobile, go to Settings > Data privacy to toggle off Smart Features and the Google Workspace smart features. Note this may disable useful functions like Smart Compose, automatic inbox categorization, spell-check, and autocorrect.