Google improved Android a lot for tablets. Since the launch of Android 12L a couple of years ago, the company has made a lot of efforts to make the operating system and apps better for large-screen devices like foldable phones and tablets. It promised to improve over 50 stock apps to work better on tablets. Now, one such improvement is coming to the Gmail app, which comes pre-installed on all Android tablets.
The latest version of the Gmail app now features (via 9To5Google) a navigation rail on the left side of the screen instead of a bottom bar. This design change was introduced for foldable phones several months ago. This new navigation rail displays buttons for the hamburger navigation menu, compose email, Gmail, Chats, Spaces, and Meet video calls. The selected tab has a circular tab indicator, so you know which tab you're currently viewing.
The navigation rail takes up some space from the email threads, but since tablets have more available screen real estate on the sides (when holding a tablet in landscape mode), the space wouldn't be an issue at all. This new change is currently visible to some users, and you can check if you have it after updating the Gmail app to the latest version from the Play Store.
For those who haven't received this design change in the Gmail app on their Galaxy Tab devices, you may need to wait for a few days before it is rolled out to you. We hope Google continues this good work to improve not just the operating system and stock apps but also encourages third-party developers to bring better-designed apps for tablets and foldable phones.
