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There are different versions of Gmail that you can access. There’s the standard version that most people use and there’s the HTML version. However, that won’t be for much longer. According to a Google support article (via The Verge), Google is sunsetting the HTML version of Gmail.
If you’re in an area with bad internet, then checking your email can turn into a hassle. Gmail is a robust email client, and it sometimes requires a reasonable internet connection to function properly. However, there are those times when you don’t have a reliable connection.
This is where the HTML version of Gmail comes in. It’s a version of Gmail that is a lot lighter. This means that it doesn’t use much data to function. You can access your emails while on a much weaker connection.
Google is sunsetting the HTML version of Gmail
This is bad news for people who are stuck in areas with terrible internet. However, the march of progress often tramples the least fortunate. The page announced that Google will officially be sunsetting the HTML version of Gmail starting early next year. It’s set to pass on in January 2024.
This gives users several more months with the stripped-down version of the email client. Unfortunately, when it goes away, there are no alternatives down the pipeline. You’ll be stuck with the standard version. The standard version, while not exactly the fanciest site on the web, has its share of unnecessary additions. These could get in the way if you’re just trying to load the essentials.
Hopefully, Google is working on some sort of alternative for Gmail. It’d be nice if you could pick and choose which animations or additions you see. This will let you prioritize your emails and get right to work. In any case, you have a few more months to use the HTML version of Gmail.