Gmail will let users make voice calls directly through the app, new design coming

Google is reportedly adding the ability to “ring” another Google user with Google Meet — but inside the Gmail mobile app, not the Meet app. According to The Verge, which has seen the development of the feature, the feature will essentially let Gmail users make calls to another Gmail client, similar to voice calls, in addition to being able to join a Google Meet meeting directly through the app. The report states that the standalone Meet app will get the same capability to make calls and not just create group meetings in the future. Details about the availability of the calling feature through Gmail are unclear and the company is yet to share further details. It appears that Google is aiming to make Gmail the central hub for all other online services such as Doc, Meet, Google Chat and more. The web client will reportedly get a redesign to integrate all these services.

In terms of design, an image in the report shows Google Workspace apps like Drive, Calendar, Notes and even Calls on the right side of the screen, with the Google Chat tab right next to it. On the left, we can see ‘Spaces’ instead of Rooms with Meet, Chat and Mail tabs. In a blog post, Google states, “Any user who has enabled chat in their Gmail settings will see the word ‘Room’ automatically updated to ‘Space’. With Spaces, teams can share ideas from one place.” In the coming months, the company will update Spaces with a host of new features such as in-line topic threading, searchable locations, and enhanced user roles and moderation Google adds.