Google to Discontinue Basic Feature: To Kill Gmail’s HTML View

Google is removing a different feature. Gmail this time. Beginning in January 2024, the business will stop supporting Gmail's default HTML display.

In the past century, the internet took the world by storm. A company or anyone who is starting a business needs to have some kind of social influence such as a website. Having a website is becoming a requirement for the online reach of a business. This is what makes it important.

Gmail’s Basic HTML View

For those who don't know, Gmail's basic HTML interface enables users to view their emails in an uncomplicated manner. The feature has been around for almost ten years.

The visual aspect of these websites uses a programming language called HTML that focuses on the visual features of the web page.?

Google announced that they will discontinue the HTML view used in their Gmail application. In January 2024, users will not be able to view the Gmail application using the Basic HTML view.

The Basic HTML view used to allow older devices or legacy browsers to send and receive emails without the overhead and the loading of the entire Gmail application giving access to users with low-end devices or slow internet to access Gmail using this basic HTML view without need for extensive JavaScript and complex HTML code.

After the deadline, Gmail will automatically transition to the Standard view, according to an update to Google's support website. Users of Gmail have also received emails from the firm notifying them of the same.

Reasons Behind This Change

In recent years, the technological world saw many advancements that caused a shift in website development and the usage of complex technologies in this field including the following changes:

• Higher Internet Speed: Users now have complete access to higher internet connections.
• Advancements in Mobile Networking: It upgraded the browser experience on mobile devices making web applications run seamlessly on most mobile devices.
• Hardware Changes to Devices: Both mobile and computer devices have seen a jump in their performance and availability allowing for a fast user browsing experience on the web.

Although these reasons are attractive, Google hasn’t officially given out a statement on why they will no longer be using the Basic HTML view.

However, it may be mentioned here that the HTML version lacks a lot of features such as chat, spell-checker, search filters, keyboard shortcuts, and rich formatting. ?However, operating without these features made it useful for users residing in low-connectivity areas or for users who just wanted to have a look at their emails.

Whether Google would add another mode for low connectivity is not yet known.

Google is Focusing on Advancing Features

Google is trying to give Gmail the new functionality to the older version of the application. The Gmail Basic HTML view offers sending and reading emails and Google is trying to change this old version to a much later edition that has the latest features calling it the Standard view of Gmail.

It is unclear why they are trying to give full functionality to a basic version of the application. The reason may be related to security because Google mentions on their page that their Standard view will offer the latest features and security in the regular Gmail application.

There are some features that Google is trying out which may be the cause for this shift including the new emoji system, protecting emails, and translating emails on iOS or Android into different languages using Google Translate.

Conclusion

Google is trying to keep up with the latest technological advancements by discontinuing its old Gmail Basic view and replacing it with its Standard view. It gives all users the ability to use all Gmail features whichever version they are using providing a secure system as well. However, some users still want to send and receive emails using their older devices or have a low internet speed, so discontinuing the Basic view can lead to migration to other email platforms that offer this kind of service.

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