Ask HN: Why is Gmail trying to change its UI?

6 points by softwareman 7 years ago | 12 comments

How many are still on the old classic gmail UI and how many are on new one? Also, is anybody using inbox.google.com?

CM30 7 years ago |

Probably fashion more than anything else. Feels like it's trying for the 'flat' design aesthetic that's become the norm online nowadays.

And I suspect that design was made to appeal to more 'casual' users, with the assumption being that a more minimalistic look would be more appealing/popular/usable for them.

But it's not really working. Based on people I've spoken to, many seem to despise the new design and almost everyone I've asked wanted to switch back to the classic version. That's not about techies either, it's more casual and often older users that seem annoyed by the new design too.

ioddly 7 years ago |

I switched because I figured they'd turn the old one off eventually and I might as well get used to it. No issues on my end, and I'm not sure if it was there before but there's an option to make composing new emails take up most of the screen rather than the tiny popout, which I like.

Guess I'm not much of an advanced email user though, I use probably 3 other mail apps for various accounts and don't take advantage of any other features.

jpindar 7 years ago |

Because they can? The department that runs Gmail has to justify their budget I suppose.

lastofit 7 years ago |

The screen looks messy to me. I really don't care/want to see the attached files. It reminds me of stack of old books on a shelf with pages spilling out.

PeOe 7 years ago |

I think it's just to get some news. The longer you are on the market the older you're UI gets. To go along with trends and to stay up to date you need changes. I actually try the new UI and it just looks a bit more modern but that's it. But the people talk about it so it works ;)

miguelrochefort 7 years ago |

I've been using Inbox for years.

It's a much better workflow.

I wish I was able to archive/snooze everything in every app.

dangerface 7 years ago |

I hated their old UI, another one of those one page apps that doesn't work like the rest of the internet. The new one is better but again one of those one page apps that doesn't work like the rest of the net.

davchana 7 years ago |

I switched because ultimately I will be forced to use it, so better start using it now. I use the compact setting, & same in earlier one was really compact; but in new it still has lots of white space, so use the 90% zoomed out version of new one.

fusionch 7 years ago |

Many Google products are changing UI these days. YouTube, Search Console. They're updating all to have a similar UI I guess.

phakding 7 years ago |

I hardly ever login to Gmail, as I pull emails over imap. But I switched long time ago because I am always excited to use the new UI.

deepaksurti 7 years ago |

When you can no longer innovate, change UI!

k0t0n0 7 years ago |

I switched to new UI its nothing compared to what valve did for cs go.