New Gmail AI Features Replacing Gemini Side Panel for Some
Gmail AI ditches the Gemini side panel for smarter in-line tools—here’s what it means for Pro and Ultra users in 2026.
Matilda
New Gmail AI Features Replacing Gemini Side Panel for Some
Gmail AI Just Got a Major Makeover—Here’s What Changed Overnight Google has quietly retired the Gemini side panel in Gmail for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., replacing it with a new suite of “in-line AI experiences.” If you’ve relied on that handy chatbot-style panel to summarize threads, draft replies, or pull files from Drive, you might’ve noticed it vanished as of January 8, 2026. This shift marks a strategic pivot toward embedding AI directly into your email workflow—no toggling panels required. For power users who depend on Gmail’s smart features daily, this update promises faster, more contextual assistance—but only if you’re subscribed to Google’s premium AI tiers. Credit: Google Why Google Killed the Gemini Side Panel The Gemini side panel, once a flagship feature for AI-integrated productivity, offered a centralized hub for AI-powered actions. But according to Google, user behavior showed most interactions happened while composing or reading emails—not by switching con…
