Update: Okay, so I was totally wrong and this only works if you’ve already had your account upgraded to the new interface. Sorry. My bad.

So I have to come clean. I’ve been enjoying the new features of Gmail for at least the last week now. The new interface is fantastic and the IMAP functionality finally gave me a reason to start considering using Thunderbird again.

But everyone I’ve mentioned it to lately has seemed a little perplexed. They don’t have the new features or the new interface. In fact, they’re not even aware of the new interface.

Google is calling the new interface “Gmail 2.0″ and while not so drastic a redesign that you’d notice it immediately, its definitely a HUGE improvement in many ways. The new contact manager alone is worth a tonne of gold. Overall, the new interface is a subtle improvement. Its not so drastic that you’ll think you’re logging into something other than Gmail, but once you notice the little things that are different, you’ll be very glad for them.

Problem is, it appears so many of you don’t have this new interface yet. The IMAP stuff is live for everyone, but they’re still doing a staggered roll out of the new interface. So how do you get to see these changes? I noticed a little trick tonight that might help. On one of my computers, it was still set to use the old interface so I had to click the link in the top right (“New Version”) to get it updated. No biggy for me, but you may not have that new link yet.

So you click on the following link. I swear it is Gmail, and to prove it, the link goes to the https version of Gmail so you can verify the certificate is real.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2#inbox

That should do it for you. :-) After that, you should have the new link in the top right corner of your Gmail interface that allows you to switch between the old interface and the new interface, with the new one being the default.

Let me know if it does or doesn’t work for you.

Remember, the new interface is an improvement, but its not so drastically different that you’ll notice all the changes immediately. Two of the great new features for me is the “Mute” and the “Filter messages like these” features. But I know Brooke really wants to get the new contact manager. So hopefully this will work for her too.