Google has begun the rollout of a refreshed user interface for its Workspace apps such as Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides that adheres to the Google Material Design 3 guidelines. The new look is designed to reduce clutter and improve productivity for users. It is the first major refresh of the UI since it was introduced back in 2009.
The new interface, known as Material You, is rolling out now and will be available to all Google Workspace customers over the next few weeks. It includes a sleek new look with a focus on streamlining tasks. For example, the sidebar has been redesigned to make it easier to switch between docs, sheets, and slides. It also allows users to customize their workspace with different themes, fonts, and colors.
In addition to the new UI, Google has also released several new features to help users get the most out of their Workspace apps. One of these is MagicSlides, a Google Workspace plug-in that works as a companion for building presentations in Google Slides. It uses AI to create slides for users based on the content of their documents. Another new feature is a ChatGPT-powered extension for Google Slides, which provides a glimpse of the tech's time-saving potential for presentations.