Google unveils new Gmail interface to help users flooded with messages

Google has unveiled a new Gmail interface for users who struggle to cope with overwhelming torrents of messages.

The new design, which Google says is being rolled out to users over the next few weeks, automatically sorts emails into a handful of separate tabs along the top of the inbox:

Primarywhere you should find messages from friends and family

Socialfor emails from social networks, media-sharing sites and online dating services

Promotionsfor regular mail-outs from retailers, daily-deal sites and other businesses

Updatesstorage for notifications and confirmations involving receipts, bills, and financial statements

Forumsfor emails from online groups, discussion boards, and mailing lists

Users can decide to remove one or more of the tabs and can control where emails from certain senders get routed.

The new interface, which is optional and can be turned off entirely, will also be available on the mobile Gmail apps for Android devices, the iPhone and iPad.