is killing another feature. This time of
Gmail
. The company is pulling the plug on Gmail’s basic
HTML view
starting January 2024. For those not aware, Gmail’s basic HTML view allows users to look at their emails in a no-frill state. The feature is more than 10 years old.
Google has updated its support page to reflect that Gmail will automatically switch to the Standard view after the deadline date. The company has also sent Gmail users an email informing them of the same.
Google’s email to users
“We’re writing to let you know that the Gmail Basic HTML view for desktop web and mobile web will be disabled starting early January 2024. The Gmail Basic HTML views are previous versions of Gmail that were replaced by their modern successors 10+ years ago and do not include full
Gmail feature
functionality,” the email reads.
Gmail’s support doc too confirms the shutting down of the feature. It now has a note that reads, “Important: You can display Gmail on your browser in Basic HTML view until January 2024. After this date, Gmail automatically changes to Standard view.”
When users try the access the HTML version, Google shows a message saying that the version is designed for “slower connections and legacy browsers” and asks you to confirm that you don’t want to use the standard version.
The HTML version lacks a lot of features such as chat, spell checker, search filters, keyboard shortcuts, and rich formatting. However, it is useful in situations where you are in a low-connectivity area or want to just look at emails without any extra features. It’s so far not clear if Google plans to add another mode for low connectivity.
Google recently also announced shutting down of
Google Podcasts
. Last week, Google announced that it will discontinue its collaborative whiteboarding app, Jamboard, in late 2024. The company will also stop supporting its accompanying device, a giant 55-inch connected whiteboard that retailed for $5,000.
