Gmail’s latest update brings a slider view for Android tablets, plus Gemini AI tools for email drafting, summaries, and image generation.
Google is giving Gmail a serious upgrade on Android tablets — and it’s not just about looks.
In a move to improve navigation and introduce more AI-powered tools, the Gmail app now features a new side-by-side slider view for larger screens, along with expanded integration of Gemini-powered AI enhancements.
As reported by Chrome Unboxed, the new layout allows users to seamlessly swipe between their inbox and opened emails without losing context — a major improvement for productivity on tablets and foldable devices.
"The new update introduces a simple, vertical divider between these two panes that you can slide left or right," Chrome Unboxed noted, highlighting that it finally makes full use of bigger Android screens.
The update is part of Google’s broader push to optimize its Workspace apps for larger form factors. Gmail joins other Google apps like Drive, Docs, and Keep, which have already been updated with tablet-friendly designs.
But it’s not just a facelift.
Google is also expanding the integration of its Gemini AI model within Gmail. Users can now access Gemini’s capabilities to draft emails, summarize threads, and even generate images directly inside Gmail, offering a creative boost for those preparing presentations, pitches, or personalized messages.
Meanwhile, the Material 3 UI polish is also rolling out more widely. Buttons, toggles, and menus have received a refreshed, softer design, bringing the Gmail app visually closer to Google's current Android aesthetic.
The updates are gradually rolling out to Android tablet users starting this week, with a full deployment expected in the coming weeks. It’s unclear when — or if — iOS users will see the same slider improvements, though AI enhancements through Gemini have been promised across platforms.
This move reinforces Google's strategy to make Android tablets and foldables more viable as serious work tools — not just consumption devices. And with Apple continuing to dominate the tablet market, it's clear Google isn't ready to concede the larger-screen space just yet.
