Google last year introduced a feature called Smart Reply for Inbox on mobile, highlighting the power of its machine-learning technology. Now, the Web giant is expanding this feature Inbox for the Web.
As you may recall, Smart Reply can determine which emails can be answered with a short reply, then prepares a few possible responses for you to consider. In other words, it lets you reply to email with just a few taps, no typing required.
The feature is handy for professionals who work from their smartphones, tablets, and laptops, Google said, because it saves you the time of trying to think of email replies yourself. Just like how it works in the Inbox mobile app, Smart Reply for the Web suggests up to three responses based on emails you get. If you receive an email asking if you have a certain document, for instance, it might suggest "I don't, sorry;" "I will have to look for it;" and "I'll send it to you."
From there, you just tap the reply you like, change it up or add more text if you need to, and tap send.
Users appear to be taking advantage of this time-saving feature. Google last month revealed that 10 percent of all Inbox mobile replies now leverage Smart Reply. "Some call it lax, we call it, well...smart," the Inbox team wrote in a tweet.
If you try out the feature, be sure to send Google any comments you have using the Help & Feedback link in the Inbox app.