Really? That seems smart to me. How often do you use the links in that drawer? Seems better to remove all that text up top and replace with a small icon for something that is rarely used.
Every time I want to look at my calendar I need to re-remember where the hell they hid it at.
I expect it to be in the drop down on the left, since Gmail and Google Calendar are otherwise so well integrate, but nope, it is hidden in the little square.
The first couple times I had to actually Google how to access my calendar from within Gmail (I can always go to calendar.google.com of course)
Ugh, you definitely do not use more multiple google services if you think that.
Even today, years afterwards, I was on the phone checking my calendar and I totally lost the train of the conversation as I was hunting in that dumbass thing for the calendar.
The worst part is that, yes, the top was getting stuffed, but instead of letting you choose what you wanted in your menu, they added that navigation monstrosity instead.
I just find it bizarre the number of people that do this. For me, I open a new tab, and start typing "calendar.google.com", but I don't even get past c or ca on most computers before it autocompletes.
And can't you customize that menu? Just make it work for you.
