Foldable phones are able to seamlessly morph into the tablet form factor. That means that apps need to be compatible with both form factors for a good experience. Google is working on adding a navigation rail to Gmail for foldable phones, according to 9To5Google.
Since the Google Pixel Fold is out in the world, it’s important for the company to make its first-party apps compatible with the fluid form factor. This shouldn’t be much of a task, as the company has been making its app compatible with the tablet form factor for some time. This new change is just another minor step forward.
Google adds a navigation rail for Gmail in foldable phones
This is a pretty minor change to the app, but it makes sense. Currently, Gmail for tables shows your feed of emails on the left side of the screen with your currently opened email on the right. There’s also a bottom bar that houses your Chat and Meet buttons. Right above that, you’d see a floating compose email button.
That’s worked for tablet and foldable phone users, but the company will get rid of the bottom bar and place those icons on the left side of the screen. Right next to your feed of emails, you’ll see the Compose, Chat, and Meet buttons.
Since foldable phones have more horizontal real estate, it’s a better idea to have these icons sit on the left of the rest of the UI rather than under it. Also, this placement makes it easier to press without taking your hand off of the phone. You can just press one of the buttons with your left thumb.
Weirdly enough, this was only spotted on the Pixel Fold. The folks are 9To5Google weren’t able to see it on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or the Pixel Tablet. This might still be rolling out to other devices.