Gmail's latest AI-powered tool aims to simplify inbox management. By offering concise recaps of lengthy emails, this feature promises to save users valuable time. This innovation arrives alongside the Gemini side panel and upcoming Gmail Q&A feature, enhancing the email experience for paid customers.
AI-Powered Summaries: A Time-Saving Revolution
Gmail's new AI-powered summaries condense lengthy email threads into bite-sized bullet points. This tool ensures that users stay informed without reading every message in an extended conversation. Aimed at enhancing productivity, the feature is part of the Gemini side panel and is rolling out across web, Android, and iOS platforms for paid users.
How It Works
The AI summaries activate when there are at least two responses in a thread. Users tap the "Summarise" button, and within seconds, a summary appears in a sheet sliding up from the screen's bottom. Though currently lacking follow-up prompts, future updates may include this feature with Gmail Q&A. Users can swipe down to view recent summaries and expand the interface for better visibility.
Availability and Upcoming Features
Starting today, the summarise feature will be fully available within weeks. In addition to summarise, Google plans to launch Gmail Q&A and Contextual Smart Reply next month, further refining the email experience. The new Side Panel feature on web Gmail, powered by Gemini 1.5 Pro, also debuts, offering even more advanced functionalities.
The Gemini Side Panel: More Than Just Summaries
Gemini's side panel goes beyond summarising emails. It suggests responses, drafts emails, and helps find specific information from your inbox or Google Drive. Tapping the Gemini sparkle icon in the top-right corner activates these features, providing proactive prompts for various tasks.
Multifaceted Assistance Across Google Workspace
The Gemini tool integrates into various Google Workspace apps:
- Docs: Assists with writing, refining content, summarising information, brainstorming ideas, and creating content from other files.
- Gmail: Summarises email threads, suggests responses, helps draft emails, and locates specific information.
- Drive: Summarises documents, offers project facts, and conducts in-depth research.
- Slides: Generates new slides, creates custom images, and summarises presentations.
- Sheets: Organises data, creates tables, generates formulas, and offers task guidance.
Who Benefits?
Both the Summarise feature and the Gemini side panel cater to users with Gemini Business and Enterprise add-on, Gemini Education and Education Premium add-on, and Google One AI Premium. This rollout aims to make email management more efficient, allowing users to focus on more critical tasks.
Gmail's AI-powered summaries and the Gemini side panel represent significant strides in email management. These tools offer a streamlined way to handle lengthy emails, enhancing productivity for paid users. With these innovations, Gmail continues to evolve, making it an indispensable tool for business and education alike.