Tag: gmail

  • Chat with Your Inbox: Googles New Gmail Live Feature Set to Revolutionize Email Search

    Chat with Your Inbox: Googles New Gmail Live Feature Set to Revolutionize Email Search

    Google is currently in the process of testing a new feature for both iOS and Android known as Gmail Live. This innovative feature will allow users to engage in a conversational interaction with the Gmail application, particularly when seeking information from a specific email. This function is particularly beneficial for users like myself who have hundreds of emails crowding their Gmail inbox, providing a more efficient method to retrieve information rather than manually searching through the inbox.

    Understanding the Gmail Live Feature

    Upon opening the Gmail application and tapping the search bar, an option labeled “Ask Gmail” will be visible. This option represents the text version of the new feature wherein users can type in a natural language query and receive an AI Overview in response. If a user prefers to utilize voice commands, they can do so by tapping an icon situated within the search bar which resembles the Gemini Live icon, distinguished by a sound wave and a sparkle.

    Tapping this icon will present a full-page user interface (still in the testing phase), similar to Gemini Live, providing examples of prompts that can be used. For instance, if a user wishes to check the status of orders placed with Amazon, they could ask, “What are the updates on my latest orders?” This question is then transcribed on the screen and is subsequently answered after Gmail Live processes the question. The response is simultaneously displayed on the screen and read aloud.

    The Future of Gmail Live

    The Gmail Live feature, which is currently under testing for both Android and iOS, is set to be launched later this summer for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Subscribers to these Google AI services will discover the ability to interact with Gmail in a conversational manner.

    Google AI Pro is priced at $19.99 per month and is crafted for power users without the high costs associated with an enterprise subscription. It includes YouTube Premium Lite, 5TB of storage, and a $10 monthly credit for Google Cloud. Google AI Ultra, on the other hand, is priced between $99.99 to $199.99 per month, providing 20TB of storage, a full YouTube Premium subscription, and a $40 monthly Google Cloud credit.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the new feature that Google is testing?
    Google is testing a feature called Gmail Live which allows users to interact with the Gmail application in a conversational manner.

    How does the Gmail Live feature work?
    Users can either type a natural language query or use voice commands to ask Gmail a question. The question is processed, and an answer is provided both visually on the screen and audibly.

    Who can access the Gmail Live feature?
    The Gmail Live feature will be made available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.

  • Google Debunks Viral Rumors: Gemini AI Not Trained on Gmail Data

    Google Debunks Viral Rumors: Gemini AI Not Trained on Gmail Data

    Clarifying the Misunderstanding

    Recently, there has been a significant amount of attention given to rumors suggesting that Google has been utilizing personal emails to develop its Gemini AI. These rumors have been dismissed by the company itself via social media, assuring users that their personal emails are not being used for training the artificial intelligence (AI) system. The rumors seemingly originated from misconceptions about long-standing settings, rather than a covertly introduced policy change.

    If one has been active on social media platforms recently, they may have come across posts suggesting that Google is clandestinely using Gmail data to train its artificial intelligence models. Often, these posts refer to a setting in Gmail titled “Smart features and personalization,” urging users to disable it promptly. As a result, even some tech security platforms initially reported the story before later issuing corrections.

    To dispel any concerns, Google has issued a clarification, asserting that Gemini is not trained using Gmail content. They further explained that the “Smart features” setting, which powers functions such as tab sorting and Smart Compose, has been in existence for an extended period and is not a new tool intended to extract user data. The flurry of concern appears to be a typical example of internet misinformation becoming distorted and exaggerated.

    Addressing Privacy Concerns

    This incident underscores the current heightened sensitivity regarding AI and data privacy. Given the continuous scrutiny faced by companies such as OpenAI over web scraping and data usage, it is understandable why users are exceedingly vigilant. The competitive nature of the landscape further compounds this issue. For instance, Apple is marketing its forthcoming “Apple Intelligence” as a privacy-centric alternative that primarily processes data on-device to avoid the sort of fears associated with the potential misuse of cloud-stored data.

    For Google, navigating this space is a balancing act. While the company is deeply involved in AI and requires vast amounts of data to compete effectively, losing the trust of its billions of Workspace users is a risk it cannot afford to take. If users start to believe that their private communications are being used to train AI chatbots, they may begin to explore other options. This incident serves as a reminder to tech giants that they need to explicitly communicate the functions of their “smart” settings, or the internet will fill in the gaps with worst-case scenario assumptions.

    Restoring Confidence

    Google’s prompt reaction to clarify the situation was important. Understandably, many users were alarmed, considering that tech companies have not exactly established a trustworthy reputation in recent years. Speaking from a personal perspective, I depend on Gmail’s smart features frequently, with the priority inbox being a particularly valuable tool. The confirmation that these features do not supply my emails to Gemini for processing is reassuring.

    However, this serves as a wake-up call for Google’s UI team. If an existing setting is ambiguous enough to be misconstrued as a “spyware toggle” in a viral social media post, it might be time to reconsider the description provided.

    Questions & Answers

    Is Google using personal emails to train its Gemini AI?
    No, Google has explicitly stated that it does not use personal emails to train its Gemini AI.

    What caused the misconception about Google using personal emails for AI training?
    The misconception appears to stem from misunderstanding about the “Smart features and personalization” setting in Gmail, which has been around for a long period and is not a new tool designed to extract user data.

    What do Gmail’s smart features do?
    The smart features in Gmail power functions like tab sorting and Smart Compose. They do not feed user emails into any AI system for training or development purposes.

  • Google Bolsters Security Measures Amidst Rising Pixnapping Attacks Targeting Two-factor Authentication

    Google Bolsters Security Measures Amidst Rising Pixnapping Attacks Targeting Two-factor Authentication

    A cutting-edge threat known as Pixnapping has the ability to illicitly take your two-factor authentication (2FA) code within a mere 30 seconds, all without your knowledge. This is a significantly hazardous variety of cyber attack. In response, Google has ramped up its security measures, which are specifically engineered to assist users in accessing their Gmail accounts should they find themselves locked out. Some common reasons for such occurrences include losing one’s device, forgetting their password, or falling prey to a malware attack.

    Rising Threats to Google Apps

    There has been an 84% surge in attacks targeting Google apps such as Gmail over the previous year, as per Google’s own data. The most perilous security risk to users of Google’s apps is emails engineered to steal their passwords. This is where the feature of Account Recovery can prove instrumental. However, even Google itself concedes that Account Recovery may not always successfully facilitate access to a locked Gmail account. Claire Forszt and Sriram Karra, both of whom are part of Google’s Identity and Engagement team, express concerns over relying on Account Recovery to regain access to a locked Gmail account.

    Google’s feature known as ‘Sign in with Mobile’ employs your phone number to log into your account. Forszt and Karra highlight the difficulties of recovering a locked Gmail account using a one-time SMS code, especially in situations where the user has lost their phone or failed to update their recovery phone number.

    New Recovery Contacts Setting

    In order to tackle such issues, Google has introduced a fresh Recovery Contacts setting. This new feature empowers Gmail users to nominate family members or trusted contacts to help them regain access to their Gmail account. Forszt and Karra view this as a simple and secure solution to rely on trusted individuals when other recovery options are not feasible.

    To implement this feature, it’s essential to set up Recovery Contacts before losing access to your account. Users can do this by visiting the Security tab on myaccount.google.com/security and following the directions to confirm their identity. This will guide them to a page where they can add Recovery contacts. Users can assign up to 10 trusted people who can help them regain access to their locked Gmail or Google app account.

    Sign in with Mobile Number Feature

    Moreover, Google has rolled out a new mechanism for Android users to validate their identity and reclaim Gmail access solely using their mobile number. Google’s ‘Sign in with Mobile Number’ process is straightforward. Upon entering their phone number, users will be presented with accounts linked to that number. They can then select the account they wish to access and input their lockscreen passcode. The unique aspect of this feature is that it allows account access without a password.

    Eugene Liderman, Google’s Director of Android Security and Privacy, informed that this feature would be introduced gradually across the globe.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the new threat called Pixnapping?
    Pixnapping is a new form of cyber attack that can stealthily take your two-factor authentication (2FA) code within 30 seconds without your awareness.

    What is Google’s response to rising threats to its apps?
    In response to the rising threats, Google has enhanced its security measures with features like Account Recovery and Recovery Contacts setting, designed to help users regain access to their locked Gmail accounts.

    How does ‘Sign in with Mobile Number’ feature work?
    ‘Sign in with Mobile Number’ is a new feature from Google that allows Android users to verify their identity and regain access to their Gmail accounts using their mobile number. The users can select the account linked to their number and enter their lockscreen passcode to access the account, even without a password.

  • Google tests a new look for dynamic color themes in Gboard

    Google tests a new look for dynamic color themes in Gboard

    Google has been found to be experimenting with a new look for the dynamic color themes in Gboard for Android. The change is subtle, but noticeable. Instead of using three different colors for the non-letter keys, Google is testing a single color pulled from the dynamic color palette. This applies to keys like shift, ?123, comma/emoji, period, enter, and backspace, as well as the menu button.

    The idea behind this change seems to be to create a more unified and less visually distracting keyboard experience. By using a single color for these keys, Google is hoping to make the keyboard feel more cohesive and less cluttered.This updated dynamic color theme is currently only available on the latest Gboard beta (version 14.7.10.x). Even then, it’s not widespread. Across several Pixel phones used for testing, the new theme only appeared on one device. This suggests that Google is still in the early stages of testing this new design and it may be a while before it rolls out to all users.

    It’s worth noting that this change only affects the dynamic color themes. The “Default” themes, which only accent the enter key, remain unchanged. This gives users the option to stick with the old look if they prefer.

    This is just one of many updates that Google has been making to Gboard in recent months. The company has also been working on improving the keyboard’s performance, adding new features, and expanding support for more languages.

    The change seems so subtle that I’m not sure why it’s being done. However, I appreciate Google’s efforts in making the UI more appealing. I’m interested to see if this update will make a noticeable difference in my daily use of Gboard. It’s possible that this more unified color scheme could be less distracting while typing, but I’ll need to use it for a while to see if it makes a real difference. I’m always happy to see companies like Google experimenting with new design ideas and trying to improve the user experience.

  • Gmail revamps summary cards to streamline email organization

    Gmail revamps summary cards to streamline email organization

    Google is making significant changes to its Gmail summary cards, aiming to make it easier for users to manage the constant flow of information that arrives in their inboxes. These updates are designed to provide a more streamlined and efficient way to access crucial details from emails related to purchases, events, bills, and travel.

    For many years, Gmail has used summary cards to display essential information at the top of emails. These cards have provided a quick snapshot of the content, but with the evolving nature of how people use email, Google recognized the need for a more dynamic and interactive system.

    The redesigned summary cards will feature a fresh look and offer more actionable functionalities. Users can now add events to their Google Calendar directly from the card, invite others, or set reminders for bill payments. The cards will also become more intelligent, organizing key information from related emails and providing real-time updates. This means users can track packages, see the latest status of their orders, and know precisely when to expect deliveries.

    In addition to the updated summary cards within individual emails, Gmail is introducing a new “Happening soon” section at the top of the inbox. This section will initially display purchase summary cards, particularly when a delivery is imminent. For instance, if an estimated delivery date is two days away, the “Happening soon” section will prominently show the purchase summary card, allowing users to see when their package is expected to arrive quickly. If multiple deliveries are scheduled around the same timeframe, the cards will be stacked, and users can expand, dismiss, or click on them to go directly to the corresponding email.

    The updated summary cards will be rolled out in phases. Initially, users will see the new purchase summary cards in individual emails on both Android and iOS devices. In the following months, event, bill, and travel summary cards, along with the “Happening soon” section, will be gradually introduced. Eventually, all four card categories will be available across individual emails, the “Happening soon” section, and Gmail search, ensuring that users can easily find the information they need regardless of how they use Gmail.

    As someone who relies heavily on email for both personal and professional communication, I find these updates to be quite promising. The ability to quickly access crucial information without having to sift through multiple emails is a welcome improvement. I’m particularly interested in the “Happening soon” section, as it seems like a convenient way to stay on top of upcoming deliveries and events. I believe these changes will make Gmail an even more valuable tool for managing my daily tasks and staying organized.

  • Google launches new quick reply experience for Gmail users on Android

    Google launches new quick reply experience for Gmail users on Android

    Google is adding a new quick reply experience to Gmail on Android devices, which will allow users to skip a few steps when they want to reply to emails. The new quick reply experience is available starting today on Android only, Google announced.

    Up until now, Gmail offered Android users multiple options such as Reply, Reply all or Forward a message when in the conversation view of an email. Once the users selected one of the options, they would be directed to a full screen compose view to send their reply.

    Thanks to the updated quick reply experience, users can reply to emails directly from the bottom of the conversation, without having to open a new screen. This option has been specifically designed for quick, lightweight replies, so for longer responses, users can expand the text box to access more formatting options.

    Although Google announced that the new quick reply experience is only available on Android device, the search giant confirmed iOS users will get it too sometime later this year.

    To start using the quick reply experience, simply open an email, click into the text box at the bottom, type your reply, and then tap the send icon. As mentioned earlier, for more formal replies, you can tap the “Expand to full screen” icon to switch to the full screen compose view.

    The new feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

    As far as availability goes, Google announced that Workspace customers will get it in the next two weeks, while Google accounts and Workspace Individual subscribers already benefit from the new quick reply experience.

  • Gmail accounts inactive for two years are about to be deleted by Google

    Gmail accounts inactive for two years are about to be deleted by Google

    You might recall that back in May, Google said that Gmail accounts that have been inactive for two years would face deletion and get wiped off the face of this earth. Before making this announcement, Google used to erase the content stored in these seemingly forgotten accounts but would still allowed the Gmail account to remain active. Now, Google might be concerned with the extra security risk that accompanies abandoned Gmail accounts.

    Using an abandoned Gmail account to send and receive gmail containing personal data is not a good idea which is why Google would rather delete these accounts fully instead of wiping out the content and letting users continue to use the accounts. Per Android Authority, Google will begin deleting these accounts starting next month.

    While the clock is ticking down toward December, it is not too late to save an inactive Gmail account that you have. Otherwise, it will be tossed in the trash as though you never created it at all. To save your inactive Gmail account all you have to do is sign in and, well, use it. Here are some suggestions for things you can do to keep your Gmail account alive if you’re closing ion on two years of inactivity:

    • Watch YouTube.
    • Read an email.
    • Use Google Drive.
    • Use Google Search.
    • Use your Google sign-in to log into a third-party app.

    Speaking of YouTube, Google does have a process that it will use to delete the abandoned Gmail accounts and one thing that it will not do at this time is delete an unused Gmail account that has a YouTube video currently active. What it will do is start with Gmail accounts that were created and never used again.

    Google is only removing inactive personal Gmail accounts. Abandoned accounts belonging to companies or schools will not be deleted. Remember, those Gmail accounts that have withered on the vine for two years are the ones that Google is deleting.

  • Gmail pop-up reminds you to use Enhanced Safe Browsing

    Gmail pop-up reminds you to use Enhanced Safe Browsing

    If you get a pop-up notification from Gmail, prompting you to take security measures, don’t be alarmed. That’s just a reminder from Google – they want you to use the Enhanced Safe Browsing mode.

    The promotional message has been rolling out over the past days, gradually coming to users on both Android and desktop. The pop up reads ‘Get additional protection against phishing’ and ‘Turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing to get additional protection against dangerous emails’. If you think you don’t need that level of protection, there’s the option to decline by tapping/clicking ‘No thanks’.

    Once enabled, the Enhanced Safe Browsing mode ‘works automatically in the background to provide faster, proactive protection against dangerous websites, downloads, and extensions’, claims the Google team. This mode checks for risky URLs, Downloads, browser extensions.

    If you’re interested in using Enhanced Safe Browsing on Google Chrome, you could benefit from the following additional protections:

    • Real-time checks against lists of known phishing and malware sites
    • The option to request Google to perform deeper scans of files they’ve downloaded to check for malware and viruses
    • Protection against previously unknown attacks when navigating to sites
    • Tailored protections based on your risk level

    Don’t forget that if you choose Enhanced Safe Browsing, it will share additional security-related information. This data is used only for security purposes and deleted after a short period of time, Google discloses. By sharing additional information about potential risky events, Chrome enables Safe Browsing to improve its ability to detect malicious content online, to better protect users all over the web.

    If you get the Gmail pop-up prompt and you tap on ‘Continue’, it will take you to the following page: myaccount.google.com/account-enhanced-safe-browsing.

    On Chrome, you could access it via chrome://settings/security.

    Or, the long route:

    1. Go to your Google Account.
    2. On the left, select Security.
    3. Scroll to “Enhanced Safe Browsing for your Account.”
    4. Select Manage Enhanced Safe Browsing.
    5. Turn Enhanced Safe Browsing on or off.

    If you turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing for your account, Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome will also be turned on when:

    • You’re signed in to Chrome
    • Sync is turned on in Chrome without a custom passphrase

    If you turn off Enhanced Safe Browsing in your account:

    • It may take up to 24 hours for this setting change to complete.
    • Google Safe Browsing continues to help protect you from dangerous websites, downloads, and extensions
  • Gmail notifications on Android mare getting better

    Gmail notifications on Android mare getting better

    Google is finally getting around to putting dynamic theming in one of the last places on Android where it hadn’t before. We are talking about the Gmail app icon on the notification shade. Previously, when you pulled down the notification shade on your Android phone, the Gmail icon was red. That’s not a bad thing since the Gmail icon in that color certainly stood out and caught your eye. But the new dynamic theme color matching delivers a more pleasing aesthetic.
    If you have Version 2023.05.28.54044.3362 of the Gmail app (and we will show you how to find out which version you’re running on your Android phone), the tiny Gmail icon on the notification shade will match colors with those Quick Settings lozenges that have been enabled on your handset. And those Quick Settings indicators get their color theme from the wallpaper used on the device. So in other words, the Gmail icon on the notification shade will soon take its color theme from the handset’s active wallpaper.
    The version of Gmail on my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 14 Beta 3 does have the new feature as the Gmail icon on my notification shade is now one of the colors that has been pulled out of my wallpaper. To change the color theme based on your wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper & style and under the preview of your wallpaper you will see color wheels. These colors are drawn from your wallpaper with the main color on top and accent colors on the bottom.
    Tap on one and you’ll see the main color fill in the Lock screen and Home screen pills at the top of the page. In addition, the image of your wallpaper on the bottom will have a box around it with a circle inside with a white checkmark. That circle will be filled with your main color theme.
    To change the color of your Android app icons, go to Settings > Wallpapers & style and press on Home screen in the upper right of the screen. Tap the color wheel you want to use (again, the main color is on the top of the wheel), scroll down to Themed icon (which is still considered a Beta), and toggle it on. Only compatible app icons will change color, but it will give your phone a refreshing new look.
    To see which version of Gmail you are running, go to System > Apps > See all xxx apps. Scroll to Gmail and tap on the listing. Scroll down to the very bottom to see the version you have installed.
    It’s just another way that Google allows Android users to customize their phones.
  • Gmail interface gets optimized for foldable phones like Galaxy Z Fold 4

    Gmail interface gets optimized for foldable phones like Galaxy Z Fold 4

    Foldable phones are supposed to be more than just glorified tablets and big-screened mobile phones. They are getting better each year with new software tricks. The latest improvement is a new interface for Gmail.
    Up until now, foldable phones displayed a stretched-out version of the Gmail app that you see on conventional phones. Google has given the interface a makeover and now, foldable phone users with book-style phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 will see a 2-pane layout for Gmail. The 2-pane view is also available for Meet and Chat.
    What this means is that the left part of the foldable screen will show the inbox and the right half will show an opened email. This makes sense from a multitasking perspective and will save a lot of back and forth when browsing emails.
    The search bar is above the inbox and the Compose button can also be seen on the first half of the screen. The bottom bar spans the width of the entire screen. In contrast, you see a vertical navigation rail on tablets. Little touches like these help create a distinct identity for foldable handsets.
    Google has increased its focus on foldable phones and tablets in recent times. The company announced its tablet-first OS Android 12L in late 2021 to make the software experience better on devices with large screens.
    It includes little tweaks and optimizations that make better use of larger screens, such as a vertically split notification shade and a taskbar to allow users to launch apps quickly.
    Google didn’t really care about tablets for the longest time. That’s changing now, and one of the major reasons behind this renewed interest is that the company has a tablet and probably a foldable phone on the way.
  • Google Chat in Gmail now lets users call someone directly

    Google Chat in Gmail now lets users call someone directly

    Google teased some upcoming features for the Google Chat in Gmail a few months ago but didn’t exactly say when they will be made available to the general public. With less than a month left until the end of the year, Google revealed that the ability to ring someone directly using Google Chat in Gmail is now available on mobile.

    Gmail users on Android and iOS can start or join meetings and audio calls from 1:1 chats in Google Chat within the mobile app. The new feature doesn’t work on anything else other than 1:1 chats at least for the moment.

    Simply select the phone or video icon in the top right cornet of a 1:1 chat to ring someone directly. Keep in mind though selecting “Join a call” from the Google Chat app will redirect to the Gmail app since this is where the call will take place.

    To join a call, select the phone or video within the 1:1 chat. You should be able to see a banner of the person you’re on a call with while on a call. Also, the call duration and a Meet icon are visible in the chat roster. Finally, the red phone or video icon within the conversation and the chat roster are used for missed calls.

    The new feature is available by default on Android and iOS devices, but you’ll need to install the latest version of Gmail. According to Google, the updated version of Gmail is now rolling out to users on both Android and iOS platforms, although it will take around two weeks to reach everyone.

  • Updated Gmail for Android now includes animated swipe action

    Updated Gmail for Android now includes animated swipe action

    After reading your email on the Android Gmail app, users can use “Mail swipe actions” to delete, archive, mark as read/mark as unread, snooze, mark as, and move to messages. Each swipe is a different color. Each action is accompanied by a different color, but to make it even easier to tell the different gesture actions apart, Google has added some animation. For example, mark as read will show the fold of an envelope closing. Delete an email and the trash can lid rises, and snoozing an email will spin the clock.

    You should soon have the latest version of Gmail for Android installed on your phone. Google has been adding little things here and there in order to improve the app. For example, in February Google added confirmatory vibration feedback so that users don’t make an accidental swipe on the wrong spot. To make sure that your Gmail app is completely up to date, your Android phone should be running version 2021.03.07 which was released just last week. It is important for you to understand that the animations are not available on the iOS version of the app.

    Google is adding animation and other swipe action to its Gmail for Android app.

    You can find the Gmail for Android app in the Google Play Store. These are small things that might not seem like a big deal but they are important to users.

  • Google rolls out Chat integration to all Gmail users

    Google rolls out Chat integration to all Gmail users

    Gmail has been enriched with a lot of additional functions over the years, as Google is trying to build an entire ecosystem around one of the most popular email apps on the market. Google Meet, Chat, and Rooms are just some of the features that Gmail users can access without having to leave the app.

    Unfortunately, some of the features are only available to those with G Suite accounts. However, Google has decided that at least one of these extra features should be accessible by everyone, not just those with Google Workspace accounts.

    XDA Developers reports Chat integration, a feature that was made available to Google Workspace accounts last year, is now rolling out to those with Gmail personal accounts. Spotted by a Twitter user, the new Chat integration is expected to become available to the rest of Gmail users in the coming days.

    Keep in mind though that to use Google Chat in Gmail, you’ll first need to enable it from the Chat option in the app settings. If the Chat option doesn’t appear in your Gmail for Android app, it means it hasn’t been updated with Chat integration yet.

    Once you enable Chat integration in Gmail, make sure to turn off duplicate chat notifications so that you won’t be notified twice for each chat message. Finally, if you notice any issues with Google Chat, know that the feature is still in beta.

  • Google makes small but useful change to Gmail

    Google makes small but useful change to Gmail

    Google’s Gmail app is the leading email app in the world. But that doesn’t mean that the app is perfect. A change made to the Android version of Gmail makes it easier to copy and paste an email address. With the change being made by Google, Android users will tap on an email address in the To, Cc, or Bcc Compose text fields, and that email address will appear along with two new options: “Copy” and “Remove.” The former will copy the text and the latter will remove the address from the field.

    The old way to do this required that the user long-press on an email address which in turn delivered a pop-up that included a copy button. Sure, the new method is not going to save you a lot of time, but if you do copy and paste email addresses often when using Gmail, this new process might be a little more streamlined. And it also won’t cover up the text of the email as the old method did. The email address you’ve copied ends up on the clipboard from where it can be pasted to other fields outside of Gmail on your phone.

    Google appears to be pushing out this change to devices with Gmail for Android v2021.02.05.357775197 installed. Not everyone with this version of the Gmail app has the new feature which suggests that Google is disseminating it using the A-B process it is known for. It did show up on our Pixel 2 XL running Android 11, which is the source of the screenshots above.

  • Google finally updates the Gmail for iOS app after three months

    Google finally updates the Gmail for iOS app after three months

    Google finally released an update for its Gmail for iOS app on Monday. As you might recall, many of Google’s iOS apps have not been updated for iOS and it is thought that this was done on purpose to avoid having to add App Privacy labels to its apps. Starting on December 8th, any app updated in the App Store has to include its App Privacy Label. Located near the end of each app’s App Store listing, the App Privacy Label shows the data that an app can collect including the data that can be linked to the user’s identity. In the case of Gmail, this data includes Purchases, Location, Contact Info, Contacts, User Content, Search History, Identifiers, Usage Data, Diagnostics, and Other Data.

    Google is reportedly being shy about having the App Privacy Label posted for its most popular iOS apps after seeing the criticism Facebook received for posting its longer than average App Privacy Label. Google denied all of this last month and said that it would be updating its iOS apps within weeks. But many of its iOS apps have gone without a recent update and the lack of an update for Gmail resulted in iPhone users being sent a warning earlier this month noting that their Gmail app is out of date. The message said, “You should update this app. The version you’re using doesn’t include the latest security features to keep you protected. Only continue if you understand this.”

    Before Monday, it had been about three months since the Gmail app for iOS had received an update; there are still some other Google apps that need to follow suit. But by bringing one of its most popular iOS apps up-to-date, Google has sent a message that says it is not afraid of the App Privacy Label and has started the process of updating its remaining iOS apps.