By Michael Ainomugisha
With a number of changes that Google has made across its services, Gmail users will be happy to know that they can now change their primary address without creating a new account. This has been a long-standing limitation that the company has finally addressed. All data, purchases, and history remain intact.
This announcement was made on January 8, by the Vice President of Product for Gmail, Blake Barnes on Google’s blog. The company said more than three billion users rely on Gmail to communicate and work daily. To prevent misuse, Google limits address changes to once every twelve months. Users can switch back to their original address at any time.
Blake also said Google has formally moved Gmail into what it calls the Gemini era, marking a deeper shift into artificial intelligence across its core products.
The move comes amid global debate about AI and its effect on jobs, trust, and work quality. Google says the new changes aim to help users manage growing email volume and information overload.
Another of the key additions is AI Overviews. The feature turns long email threads into short summaries. Instead of scanning dozens of replies, users see the main points at a glance. Users also ask their inbox direct questions using natural language. Gemini then pulls answers from past emails, such as locating a service provider or confirming a past agreement.
AI Overview summaries are rolling out to all users at no cost. The option to ask inbox questions sits under Google AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions.
The email service provider has also expanded writing tools inside Gmail. “Help Me Write” allows users to draft or polish emails from scratch. “Suggested Replies”, an upgrade of “Smart Replies”, uses conversation context to generate one-click responses that reflect a user’s tone. A new proofread tool checks grammar, tone, and style before sending.
“Help Me Write” and “Suggested Replies” are free for all users. “Proofread” remains limited to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Google also plans to improve personalisation by drawing context from other Google apps.
Another major addition is AI Inbox. The feature highlights what matters most and filters out clutter. It surfaces tasks, reminders, and high-priority messages such as bills or appointments. Google says the system identifies priority senders based on usage patterns and contacts. The company says all analysis happens within its existing privacy controls. AI Inbox is currently available to trusted testers, with wider access expected later.
Alphabet LLC, the parent company of Google, has previously incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into its products. Approximately two years ago, Google essentially forced AI on the general public when it started displaying AI-generated answers to queries at the top of search results.
Some friction remains, for example those who want to change their primary address and who rely on “Sign in” with Google across other services may need to sign in again. Chromebook and Chrome Remote Desktop users may also re-authenticate. Google advises users to back up important data and review connected apps before changing their address.
