Highlights

• “Summarize this email” button discovered in Gmail Android app.
• Feature could extend email summarization beyond Gemini for Workspace.
• Ideal implementation would include on-device AI processing for privacy.
• Potentially available for individual emails, enhancing user convenience.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising how we interact with technology, and one of the most sought-after features is the ability to summarize lengthy documents, articles, and even audio recordings.

It appears that Google is gearing up to bring this functionality to its widely-used Gmail app, allowing users to quickly grasp the essence of their emails with a simple tap.

“Summarize This Email” Button in the Works

Gmail app readying ‘Summarize this email’ feature powered by Gemini AI on Android

Read – https://t.co/clWBLuQs1p#Gmail #Android pic.twitter.com/TVtylD37ZH

— AssembleDebug (@AssembleDebug) April 5, 2024

According to reports from PiunikaWeb and the code sleuth AssembleDebug, Google is working on introducing a “summarize this email” button in the Gmail app for Android.

Evidence of this feature was discovered in version v2024.03.31.621006929 of the app, with a screenshot revealing an inactive button below the email title, hinting at its future implementation.

While Google already offers email summarization for its Gemini for Workspace suite, this feature is currently limited to email threads with more than two replies and is available only on desktop.

The “summarize this email” button, however, seems poised to bring this functionality to individual emails for consumers using the Gmail app on their smartphones.

A Convenient and Privacy-Conscious Solution

The ability to summarize emails within the Gmail app would undoubtedly prove invaluable, especially for lengthy or information-dense messages.

However, to truly elevate the user experience, it would be ideal if Google could make this an on-device AI feature for supported phones, such as the upcoming Pixel 8 series.

By processing the email summaries locally, users could benefit from this functionality even in situations where data connectivity is limited or unavailable, such as during flights or in remote areas.

Additionally, on-device processing would alleviate potential privacy concerns by keeping sensitive email data from leaving the user’s device.

FAQs

What is the new “summarize this email” feature in Gmail?

Google is reportedly developing a new feature for the Gmail app on Android, dubbed “summarize this email.” This functionality aims to provide users with concise summaries of their emails with the click of a button.

It’s designed to simplify the process of digesting long or complex emails by highlighting the key points, making email management more efficient.

How does the email summarization feature work?

While specific details on how the Gmail email summarization feature will work are still under wraps, it’s likely to analyze the content of an email and extract the main points or messages using AI technology.

This summary will then be presented to the user, allowing them to quickly understand the essence of the email without reading it in its entirety.

Will the email summarization feature be available on all devices?

The “summarize this email” feature has been spotted in the code for the Gmail Android app, suggesting that it will initially be available for Android users.

There’s potential for this feature to be rolled out to other platforms in the future, especially if it proves popular and useful among Android users.

Can the email summarization feature work offline?

For the email summarization feature to truly stand out, it would be beneficial for Google to implement it as an on-device AI feature.

This would allow the summarization process to occur directly on the user’s device without needing an internet connection, offering convenience and enhancing privacy by keeping sensitive email content on the device.

Also Read: Google Sets New Email Standards to Tackle Spam in Gmail by April 2024

Also Read: Google Gemini Now on Gmail, Workspace; New Open-Source AI Gemma Also Coming Out

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