17 years of Gmail and something's gone now!

 Gmail was updated for all users in the month of June 2021, providing Google Workspace access to all its users, with better interfaces, and better integrations between Gmail and a lot of Google's apps like Calendar, Meet, Keep, Contacts and the newly launched Chat, which is a revamped and better version of Hangouts.

But, interestingly, one thing that was always present in Gmail since its initial public launch in 2004, is kinda missing in 2021's Gmail. And that is the label text that says "Compose" .

Gmail interface as of its launch in 2004.

The Compose button now has a pencil icon all the time, which just used to appear only when the mail sidebar was hidden to show only icons.

The compose button is still there, but the text doesn't appear until one hovers on the pencil button which indicated the same action from Gmail smartphone apps. Gmail has also come a long way from its inception to what it is now. But this screenshot still is relavent and understandable to users in 2021, Kudos to Google's UX designers who have strived keep it relavent and usable since day one.

For more info, you can check this article from TIME magazine's article back from 2014 when Gmail completed 10 years.

How Gmail Happened: The Inside Story of Its Launch 10 Years Ago Today | Time