Google started a new experiment in its cloud email service Gmail where promotional emails could be changed from the traditional text list to a colourful grid of square images.
The feature was still in testing and users could request access to join the trial. Users in the trial could switch between the traditional and grid view at any time.
The new visual resembled the recent release of Google Now Cards for Chrome Desktop. One difference is that marketing emails couldn’t be shifted around by drag and dropping the squared images.
The introduction of tabs in Gmail had given users a taste of auto-sorting emails by type, with promotional emails automatically stored in the Promotions tab. Gmail users could add additional category tabs for other incoming messages besides the Primary email tab such as Forums for conversations on online discussion boards and mailing lists, and Updates which featured receipts, bills and cloud software notifications.
