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New Gmail update said to add self-destructing email you can't print or forward

Google's upcoming redesign has some potentially compelling new features that may change your emailing habits.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
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Some interesting new features are coming to Gmail.

Google

A few days ago we reported on how Gmail was about to get a big makeover.

"We're working on some major updates to Gmail (they're still in draft phase)," a Google representative said in an email. "We need a bit more time to compose ourselves, so can't share anything yet -- archive this for now, and we'll let you know when it's time to hit send."

Well, word has slipped out about a couple of key new features that are reportedly coming soon to Google's widely used email platform. 

One is called "confidential mode." According to The Verge, it allows you to limit what recipients can do with the emails you send, preventing them from being forwarded, downloaded or printed.

Watch this: Gmail redesign incoming

The other is even more intriguing: TechCrunch is reporting that Google is testing "self-destructing" emails that disappear after a set period of time.

The new features are expected to be officially unveiled at Google I/O 2018, the company's developer conference that runs May 8-10. 

Google didn't immediately respond to our request for comment.