Revamped Gmail for Android now rolling out

Google is rolling out the new, improved version of Gmail for Android starting today. The refreshed Gmail experience was unveiled by Gmail last week and aims to streamline your inbox so you can run through your mails faster.

Bumped up to version 4.5, Gmail for Android now contains a multiple-tabbed interface, a slide-out navigation panel and a bunch of other UI tweaks. You will now see your inbox contain new sections or tabs that will filter your emails so that you can find them faster. Your mails will now be categorised through their sources. Mails from family and friends, from social networking websites, bills, receipts and updates will all be put under separate categories.

Now rolling out

Gmail for Android now also contains the left-hand navigation pane where these tabs are situated. Instead of hitting the refresh button to check your mails, Gmail will let you reload the page simply by using the pull-down option.

For Android 2.2 and up, the Gmail update will be bringing along New Labels API for third party developers and for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich and up, it will ensure faster search even when the device is offline. If you have a device that runs Jelly Bean 4.1 and up, Gmail will let you reply, delete and archive from the notifications tab itself. Surprisingly, the change-log in the Google Play Store does not mention the new inbox yet.

The update is still being rolled out, so don’t fret if your device isn’t prompting you to update the app yet.