Google has begun rolling out a new Gmail experience on the web and, for now, just Android that aims to turn Gmail into a built-in workspace for video conferencing, chats and file sharing.
The way Google sees things, Gmail now consists of four separate components, made up of Mail, Rooms, Chat and Meet. The last two components are Google’s responses to rivals such as Zoom video conferencing, Slack chat and the Microsoft Teams collaboration space.
Microsoft has been racing to improve Teams chat and video conferencing capabilities to better support remote work and classrooms during the global pandemic, as well as support for 49 faces on a screen, which is now rolling out.
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For Google, using Gmail seems to be the logical platform to promote Rooms, Chat, and Meet at a time when remote work is likely to remain the norm for many office workers in the foreseeable future.
Google is launching the new integrated Gmail experience for G Suite users on the web and Android now. The new format also comes for Apple iOS devices, but Google has not released a timeline.
“With this launch, you can also open and co-edit a document with your team without leaving Gmail. This will make it easier for you to collaborate directly in the context of where you are currently doing your work, “Google said in a blog post.
Google promises that Gmail Mail will remain the same trusted service as people know, while Chat (formerly Hangouts) is for sending messages to individuals and groups. Rooms offer “spaces that include shared conversation, files, and tasks to make it easier for groups to work on projects.” Meet, meanwhile, is Google’s answer to Zoom.
In addition, the update allows workers to open and collaborate on a document without leaving Gmail, making Gmail the only workspace for employees at G Suite customers.
Google recently announced 11 new security features coming to Gmail, Chat and Meet.
For example, Google Meet hosts gain more control over who can ‘knock’ to join a meeting and an ‘advanced security lock’ that allows the host to decide how others can join a meeting, for example via a calendar invitation or phone call . Chat in Gmail also gains Gmail phishing protection.
According to Google, the main benefits of integrating Gmail with chat, video and workspaces are the need to switch between apps, improve collaboration, and the ability to search emails and chats from one place.
