When Gmail launched on April Fools' Day 2004, its surprising 1GB of storage and Google's reputation for pranks led many to believe it was a joke. The closest competitor at the time only offered 15MB of free storage.

Small interactions can significantly impact user experience and differentiate a product. Examples like simplified link creation in Notion, natural language date input in Things, and predictive text in Gmail illustrate how small details can enhance usability. These seemingly minor features become essential as users rely on them, building loyalty and setting apps apart, making them more appealing and competitive.

Gmail has introduced an update to its "summary cards" feature, aimed at enhancing the user experience by making it easier to access important information buried within emails. This update focuses on surfacing key details related to shopping, travel, events, and bills, allowing users to find relevant information without the need to sift through numerous emails. Previously, summary cards were primarily associated with order confirmation emails, displaying details such as purchased items and tracking links. The new iteration of summary cards is designed to be more dynamic and contextually relevant. For instance, when waiting for a package, users will see information about its expected arrival, and once it arrives, a link to the return policy will be provided. This approach ensures that the information presented is pertinent to the user's current situation. The summary cards will not only appear at the top of individual emails but also in search results. For example, searching for "Delta" will bring up a card for upcoming flights, streamlining the process of locating important travel information. Additionally, these cards will be visible at the top of the inbox for time-sensitive matters, such as upcoming trips or packages due to arrive soon. While the introduction of these cards may be met with some resistance from users who prefer a clutter-free inbox, the Gmail team believes that their utility will outweigh any initial concerns. This update does not represent a major shift towards artificial intelligence but rather an improvement in Gmail's ability to extract useful information from emails. The new summary cards are currently rolling out for purchases, with plans to expand to other categories in the future. Google is focusing on the understanding that much of email communication consists of information rather than direct messaging, and it aims to help users manage their inboxes more effectively.

Gmail has introduced a new feature called "summary cards" designed to enhance user experience by helping individuals take action on their emails more efficiently. This update comes in response to increasing competition in the email market, particularly following Apple's recent enhancements to its Mail app in iOS 18, which included features similar to those found in Gmail. The summary cards aim to streamline how users manage their inboxes by visually organizing information from related emails, making it easier to track packages, check flight statuses, set reminders, and manage bills. The summary cards will be categorized into sections such as Purchases, Events, Bills, and Travel, allowing users to quickly access essential information without sifting through multiple emails. For instance, users can see when a package is expected to arrive, flight details, or due dates for bills at a glance. The cards will also include actionable buttons that enable users to perform tasks directly from the summary, such as tracking a package, viewing an order, or managing airline bookings. This feature builds upon existing summary cards that provided basic snippets of information. The new dynamic cards will update in real-time, offering more comprehensive actions, including checking in for flights and inviting others to events. Additionally, Gmail will introduce a "Happening soon" section in the inbox, which will highlight timely summary cards for easy access. Over time, these summary cards will also be integrated into Gmail's search functionality. The rollout of these features began on October 2, 2024, starting with purchase summary cards available on both iOS and Android platforms. Users had already begun to notice these updates prior to the official announcement. In the coming month, Gmail plans to expand the availability of summary cards and the "Happening soon" section, ultimately incorporating all four categories—purchases, events, bills, and travel—across individual emails and search results. This initiative reflects Google's commitment to adapting to the evolving habits of Gmail users, ensuring that the platform remains competitive and user-friendly in a rapidly changing digital landscape.