New interface tweaks for Gmail add tabs across the top of your inbox for better categorization of e-mail.
Jason Parker
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Google announced today that Gmail would receive a notable update across all platforms, with interface tweaks for iOS, Android, and the Web. Though the mobile versions are still coming soon, you can check out the new features as early as today in your Web browser -- that is, if they've been rolled out to your account.
Check out this slideshow to find out if your account has the new interface changes, and get a little more info on how it all works.
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Configure Inbox
The way to know if the new features have been turned on for your account is to go the gear icon in the upper right and look for the Configure Inbox selection.
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How it works
You'll be greeted with a Welcome screen where you can see what the new category features do and get more information if you need it.
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Select the tabs you need
Use the check boxes to select which tabs you want displayed at the top of your inbox. It is important to note that you will not be able to create your own tabs -- you can only use the ones offered here.
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Mouse over for examples
If you mouse over each of the categories, you'll see examples pulled from your own inbox, making it easier to figure out which tabs to enable and which ones to leave unchecked.
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Switch tabs to switch categories
Looking through each of the tabs, it seemed that Gmail had sorted my mail perfectly, but everyone should still check to make sure mail is being properly categorized.
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Social view
For example, when you click the Social tab, you'll only see messages and notifications from social networks.
