Google recently announced a significant change: the Gemini side panel for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US will no longer be available in Gmail. Instead, users will experience new “in-line AI experiences.”
Previously, you accessed the Gemini side panel by clicking on the Gemini icon near your profile photo. This feature allowed you to:
- Summarize email threads
- Suggest email responses
- Draft new emails
- Retrieve information from past emails
- Access Google Drive files
- Get event details from Google Calendar
- Create new events in Google Calendar
Now, much of this functionality has shifted to in-line features designed to make using AI simpler within Gmail. The “Help Me Write” feature remains, while “Proofread” has been improved for better grammar and style checking. Suggested Replies have also been enhanced to better fit the context of conversations.
AI Overviews are now capable of summarizing longer threads, and there’s a new feature that provides AI summaries in search, making it easier to find what you need.
As of now, the side panel has been removed from personal Gmail accounts that have adopted these new features, though it is still available on mobile for Android users. Importantly, Google Workspace plans still retain access to the Gemini side panel.
This shift signifies Google’s commitment to integrating AI seamlessly into everyday tasks. According to a recent survey by Pew Research, many users desire more efficient tools for managing their email.
Experts in tech suggest that these upgrades could enhance productivity significantly. However, it’s essential for users to adapt to this shift and explore the new features to get the most out of their Gmail experience.
For more on the latest Google updates, check out Pew Research’s findings on technology usage.
