What Is Gmail Called Now?

The evolution of Gmail’s branding has sparked curiosity among users seeking clarity on what the service is officially called now. Originally launched in 2004 as Google’s free, web-based email service known simply as Gmail, it rapidly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and innovative features such as threaded conversations and generous storage. Over time, Google’s suite of productivity and collaboration tools expanded, culminating in a comprehensive platform formerly known as G Suite, designed primarily for business and enterprise users. In October 2020, Google rebranded G Suite to Google Workspace, merging Gmail with other productivity apps under a unified brand to better represent its integrated work ecosystem. This rebranding effort aimed to create a cohesive experience by combining communication and collaboration tools into one platform, reflecting the work-from-anywhere trend accelerated by the global pandemic. Despite this shift, the original Gmail service remains available as the free email product for individual users, retaining its name and distinctive domain, @gmail.com.

However, within the Google Workspace ecosystem, Gmail refers to the business email service featuring custom domains, increased storage, and enhanced administrative controls. This distinction often confuses as Gmail is simultaneously a standalone free service and an integral part of Google Workspace’s paid offerings. For personal users, Gmail continues as before, while enterprises benefit from Google Workspace’s comprehensive tools supporting productivity and collaboration. Therefore, the question “What is Gmail called now?” has a nuanced answer depending on the context: the free personal email service remains Gmail, whereas the broader business suite is known as Google Workspace, which includes Gmail among its components. Understanding this differentiation is crucial for users navigating Google’s ecosystem, especially those balancing personal and professional needs within overlapping platforms. In summary, Gmail’s identity persists, but its integration into Google Workspace marks a strategic evolution in branding and service offering, reflecting modern work habits and organizational requirements. This essay explores the current naming conventions and clarifies what Gmail is called now in both personal and business contexts.

READ ALSO: Google Workspace Administrators

Gmail’s Current Identity and Integration

Gmail as Part of Google Workspace:

Since 2020, Google has rebranded its suite of productivity apps from G Suite to Google Workspace. Gmail is a central component of this ecosystem, integrated with Google Chat, Google Meet (video conferencing), and Rooms (collaborative spaces for projects). This integration transforms Gmail from a standalone email service into a comprehensive communication and collaboration platform.

Four Components Within Gmail: Google now views Gmail as composed of four key parts:

Mail: The traditional email inbox.
Chat: Messaging for individuals and groups, replacing Hangouts.
Rooms: Spaces for shared chat, files, and tasks to facilitate teamwork.
Meet: Video conferencing integrated directly into the Gmail interface.

This approach aims to reduce app switching and improve productivity by enabling users to manage emails, chats, meetings, and collaborative work all within the Gmail interface.

AI and Security Enhancements:

mail has undergone major redesigns to improve user experience, adding AI-powered features like email nudging, confidential mode, and enhanced security controls. The integration of Google’s AI assistant Gemini in 2024 further enhances Gmail’s capabilities for smart email management and productivity.

The Gmail App and Its Features

The Gmail app, available for Android and other platforms, offers a mobile interface for accessing and managing your Gmail account, including features like real-time notifications, multiple account support, and secure email management. It also includes powerful features like email summarisation, smart replies, and the ability to listen to emails.

Key Features of the Gmail App:

Real-time Notifications: Stay informed with instant notifications for incoming emails.
Multiple Account Support: Manage multiple Gmail accounts within the app.
Secure Email Management: Access your emails securely and efficiently.
Search: Quickly find specific emails using robust search capabilities.
AI-powered Features: Utilise AI features like email summarisation, Smart Compose, and Smart Reply to streamline email management and writing.
Voice Control: Listen to emails and manage your inbox using voice commands.
Dark Mode: Enjoy a comfortable and visually appealing dark mode experience.
Email Organisation: Organise your inbox with labels and filters, and archive or delete emails to declutter.
Integration with other Google services: The app integrates with other Google Workspace tools like Google Calendar and Google Drive.
Accessibility: The app offers features to make it more accessible for users with disabilities, such as voice control and screen reader support.
Smart Features: Gmail leverages AI to provide smart suggestions and make email writing and management easier.

Additional Features and Considerations:

Wear OS:
Gmail is also available on Wear OS, allowing you to manage emails on your wrist.

Accessibility:
The Gmail app offers various accessibility features to enhance user experience, including screen reader compatibility and voice control.

Third-party email clients:
While the official Gmail app is the primary way to access Gmail, it also supports using third-party email clients via POP and IMAP protocols.

Business Users:
Gmail offers features tailored for business users, such as custom email addresses, integration with other Google Workspace tools, and guaranteed uptime.

Clarification on Gmail Naming Changes for Users

Gmail allows users to change the name associated with their email address, but not the actual username or email address itself. This change affects the name displayed when sending emails, but not the address that users receive mail on.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Changing the display name:

You can change the name that appears when you send emails from your Gmail account, essentially changing the “From” field in the email. For example, if your email address is sportsfan@gmail.com, you could change the display name to “Bob”.

You can’t change the username or email address:

Your username (the part before the @ symbol) and the overall email address (e.g., sportsfan@gmail.com) cannot be changed.

Impact on recipients:

If someone has you saved in their contacts with a different name, they will likely still see that saved name, even if you change your display name in Gmail. Your new display name will only appear in the emails you send them from that point forward.

Where to make changes:

You can’t change your display name from the Gmail app; it must be done from the Gmail website.

Admin Changes:

If you’re an administrator managing multiple user accounts, you can change a user’s profile name and email address in the Google Admin console. This allows for changing a user’s name and email address in the directory without losing any data, and the user will continue to receive emails to both old and new addresses.

Display Name vs. Email Address:

The display name is essentially the name that appears in the email header, while the email address is the address that is used to receive and send mail.

What Gmail Is Called Now

Still “Gmail” for Email:

The email service itself continues to be branded as Gmail for both personal and business users. However, for business users, Gmail is part of the Google Workspace suite, which reflects its expanded role beyond just email.

Google Workspace Email:

For enterprise and business users, Gmail is often referred to as the email component of Google Workspace, highlighting its integration with other collaboration tools.

Gmail remains officially known as “Gmail,” but it is now primarily framed as an integral part of Google Workspace, the broader productivity platform offering seamless integration with various Google tools. Google continues to invest heavily in Gmail’s development, recently introducing AI-powered enhancements through initiatives like Gmail Gemini, which point to a future where AI shapes the email experience more profoundly. Brand updates, such as the new logo and interface redesign, reflect Google’s strategy to align Gmail visually and functionally within the Google Workspace ecosystem. For users, Gmail continues to be the go-to email service, now equipped with advanced AI tools and productivity features that extend beyond traditional email functions. While the name “Gmail” itself has not changed, its role, interface, and integration within Google’s suite of tools have evolved significantly, reinforcing Gmail’s position as a modern, AI-powered communication hub for billions worldwide.

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