Google is notifying Gmail customers that the webmail’s Fundamental HTML view will probably be deprecated in January 2024, and customers would require trendy browsers to proceed utilizing the service.
After that date, all customers of the favored webmail service will mechanically be redirected to the extra trendy Commonplace view, which helps all the newest usability and security measures.
The essential HTML view is a stripped-down model of Gmail that doesn’t provide customers chat, spell checking, keyboard shortcuts, including or importing contacts, setting customized “from” addresses, or utilizing wealthy textual content formatting.
This function is designed for folks dwelling in areas with web entry, utilizing older {hardware} with restricted reminiscence, or utilizing legacy internet browsers that don’t help present HTML options.
Nevertheless, one of many largest causes customers use HTML view is that text-to-speech instruments utilized by customers with visible impairment are extra dependable, because the Commonplace view introduces technical complexities which can be more durable for these instruments to handle.
Nonetheless, Google has determined to retire Gmail’s HTML view with out offering particular causes.
“Fundamental HTML view will probably be supported till early January 2024. Till then, your group can nonetheless use the present fundamental HTML view,” Google shared in electronic mail notifications to Google Workspace admins.
“As soon as fundamental HTML view is disabled, customers will mechanically be redirected to the usual Gmail view which supplies the newest in Gmail safety and options.”
“Customers on outdated browsers might have to replace their browser to make use of the usual view. On cell, customers can even obtain the official Gmail app.”
After January 2024, the Commonplace view would be the solely possibility, so customers reliant on the Fundamental HTML view want to arrange for the transition or change to desktop electronic mail purchasers.
For customers of older {hardware}, switching to light-weight purchasers like Mozilla Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook is mostly preferable to loading web-based platforms.
For individuals who want accessibility options, Thunderbird is recognized to work properly with the Jaws, NVDA, and Home windows Eyes display screen readers and affords a variety of show and textual content measurement adjustment choices that improve usability for folks with visible impairments.