Gmail for business gets a new look and expiring email

Google is rolling out a major update to Gmail for business with a new design, AI-powered features and confidential mode, a feature that lets users set an expiry date on sent messages.

With confidential mode enabled G Suite users will now be able set an expiration date on messages containing sensitive information and revoke already sent messages. 

Gmail features a new padlock and clock icon next to existing attachment buttons beside the Send button. Tapping that brings up options to set the expiration date and configure the message to require an SMS passcode, which could help a user protect data if the recipient’s email account has been compromised prior to expiration. 

Google has also added information rights management controls that allow users to remove the option for recipients to forward, copy, download or print messages. 

The security features will be available in coming weeks to Google’s consumer users and will come to some G Suite customers in a few weeks before a broader rollout. 

The new Gmail will be available to businesses that have opted in to Google’s G Suite Early Adopter Program. Admins can enable the new Gmail for a whole domain or for certain business units.   

Gmail is also gaining bigger and bolder security warnings to bolster last month's additional phishing protections to shield customers from Business Email Compromise attacks. 

The update is also bringing Google’s automated reply feature Smart Reply to Gmail on the web. The Inbox by Gmail AI feature was already rolled out to Gmail on Android and iOS last year.    

 A time-saving feature of the new Gmail on web is the ability to open attachment before opening an email thread. There’s also a new option when hovering over an unopened email to archive, delete, mark as read or snooze the email. 

Google has also integrated the Calendar into side panel in the inbox to allow users to create Calendar without moving to another tab. The side panel now provides access to third-party Gmail add-ons. This side-panel design will also integrated with Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Slides in coming months.