Where texting is the go-to for fast facts, email is where you turn for more comprehensive details. The problem is: sometimes you need quick information from your email, perhaps regarding a flight, concert, or your next pet food delivery. As the expert in information-hunting, Google is out to fix that problem with its new summary card updates.
What Are Gmail Summary Cards?
Summary cards are not entirely new to Gmail. Google introduced the feature to iOS and Android back in 2020, and to its web version before that. Historically, summary cards have shown up on top of individual emails, such as messages pertaining to online orders or travel. They might highlight key items like confirmation numbers and tracking information.
Improvements to Gmail Summary Cards
Now, as announced today on Google’s blog, summary cards will get a whole new look, apply to more email categories, and incorporate more “action buttons.” They will be dynamic so that they are always giving the most relevant information. For example, with an online order, you might see a tracking estimate when it’s on the way, and then return policy information when it arrives.
Google has highlighted the following updates to its summary cards:
|
Email Type |
Updates |
|---|---|
|
Purchases |
Tracking and order details within in-email summary cards will be more dynamic, giving you the most relevant information. |
|
Events |
New action buttons can add events to Google Calendar, invite friends, and pull up directions. |
|
Bills |
New action buttons can add reminders to pay later, or set due dates in your Google Calendar and Google Tasks. |
|
Travel |
Action buttons for managing reservations will be more timely, such as flight and hotel check-ins. |
Compatibility With Google Calendar
As alluded to in Google’s list of updates, Gmail summary cards can easily add events and reservations to your calendar. And this feature is not just for events. According to Google, you can also easily add bill payment reminders to your calendar through summary cards.
What’s “Happening”
Beyond the updates to summaries existing within individual emails, the platform will also introduce a Happening soon section, which will appear at the top of your inbox. This feature is intended to remind you of things like upcoming deliveries, travel and other reservations.
For those of you concerned about the space that might take up in your inbox, Google notes that you’re free to dismiss summary cards at your leisure. Also, on days when you might have more than one notification, Gmail will “stack” them, and give you the option to expand or minimize your stack. Google’s Help Center also advises on how to turn off summary cards completely.
When to Expect Changes to Google Summary Cards
Google has noted that the updates will begin rolling out today, but we might see some functions before others. For example, the Happening soon section will be introduced in the “coming months”, while you might see the new-and-improved purchase email summary cards as early as today.
For the most part, the update seems like a good thing. As a Gmail user and certified procrastinator, I can imagine using Google’s shiny new summary cards on the way to an event, searching for those parking instructions I should have looked up before I left (but of course, I didn’t). Maybe that’s just the Los Angeleno in me. Regarding potential pitfalls, I can see why some might be concerned about security. If details are going to be pulled not only to the top of emails but to the top of your inbox, you might think twice before opening your Gmail app in public. Again, we’re reminded of the privacy price we pay for convenience.
