For the past few days, it seems as if Google is stealing all the IT news headlines. First new Google.com homepage, then Google + and now it seems like Gmail and Google Calendar are also getting a facelift (about time).
The new Gmail look is very nice and clean with better nav/label tabs (no more ugly links). The redesign shouldn't impact the users much and should occur slowly over the next few months because Google wants to absorb feedback from its roughly 200 million Gmail users to ensure a smooth transition into a new redesign.

Users can also expect Google Calendar to get a new look much sooner than that -- within the next few days. The list of Calendar changes include:

• The Quick add function is now under the down arrow next to the Create button
• Calendars selected for viewing in your My calendars and Other calendars lists will no longer display with a colored background; instead, only the arrows next to them will be colored.
• The Print and Refresh buttons are now icons rather than text links.
• Visual indicator icons will only show when the event is hovered over.
• The My calendars and Other calendars lists on the left are now collapsed by default and may be expanded using the small gray arrow.
• The mini month view calendar under the Create button is collapsible using the small gray arrow.
• The Save and Discard buttons and Back to calendar link are only available at the top of the event page, not the bottom.

How to enable new theme

Log in to gmail, click on Labs/Themes and select Preview (Dense). Enjoy!