Google Labs

Over the weekend I was toying around with my Gmail Settings, and I noticed something called Google Labs. Google Labs is essentially features that are being tested for future release. So I started browsing the Gmail Google Labs to see if there was anything of use to me. I found quite a few items which I decided to turn on, some for testing, and other because I use them daily.

Things I turned on:

• Advanced IMAP Controls

• Google Docs Preview in Mail 

• Insert Image Button 

•  Mark As Read Button 

•  Mark as Unread Button 

•  Message Sneak Peak 

I may play around with more in the future, but this batch is enough to make gmail even better for my purposes. To access Google Labs, click on "Settings" and then click on the "Labs" tab. From there you can change which labs you want on or off.

~Dave

Which Mail is Most Important?

Gmail has once again rolled out a new feature. The new feature being Priority Mail. This add-on is supposed to allow the user to easily sort through mail, so you can get to the more important messages first. When you first start using Priority Mail, it will scan your Gmail account, and guess which pieces of mail are important and which are not. It will then ask you if the way it has sorted the mail is correct. You can then make some quick changes, or leave it the way it is. Once, you're ready, click continue. Gmail will then set up your priority inbox. Within priority inbox you will see two new buttons. A "+" button and a "-" button. You can use these buttons to increase the importance of a piece/pieces of mail or decrease the importance. Important pieces of mail will be marked with a gold tab so that you know to read that first. You can use either the priority inbox or the the normal inbox, both will show your priority mail. If you don't like priority inbox, simply go to your settings and click the tab labeled "Priority Inbox" and then at the bottom click "Don't Show". Save your settings and you won't have to use it. I have found it very useful in my inbox and I recommend it to anyone who is thinking about using it.

~Dave

Gmail or Skype?

With the new addition of a calling method in Gmail, Skype now has a competitor. Skype has been around long time and have really cemented their roots. Gmail is new and people aren't really sure where this feature will lead to. The thing is, they both do almost the exact same thing, with subtle differences of course. The biggest being that Gmail runs in your browser, where as Skype runs in an applications. They both require an internet connection, and allow free calling in the US and Canada. They can also make free calls to the same program (Gmail to Gmail and Skype to Skype). In addition, they both have fees for calling outside the US, although the fees are not so high. However, one thing Skype does have over Gmail is the ability to show people your screen while you are talking with them. On the other hand, Gmail has the ability to transfer calls from the browser to your phone for free if you have Google Voice setup for it. Both are great options for calling people, leave a comment on which one you prefer and why. I personally use Skype more because it is an application and I don't have to navigate to a website.

~Dave

*Ring* *Ring* Gmail Calling

As some of you may have heard, Google has announced a new feature that has been added to Gmail. This feature allows you to make calls anywhere in the US and Canada for free, while you are in Gmail. Call qualities all depends on the speed and quality of your internet connection, and it costs extra to call outside of the US and Canada. Plus, this option works hand in hand with Google Voice, if you have one. If you don't have a Google Voice, don't fret, you can still use this feature. So why use Gmail Call? For starters, it doesn't disrupt your workflow. For example, if you want to call someone, but the phone is in another room. In addition, if you do have Google Voice, you can use the two together. You can use Gmail Call as a Caller ID if someone calls your Google Voice number. Also, you can transfer calls from Gmail to your phone, or vice versa. Say you are in the midst of a call with someone, and then you look at the time and you have to go or you will be late. It is a hassle to hang up and call back, instead you can easily press the asterisks key and send the call to another Google Voice number. Your cell phone will then start ringing, pick up and then end the call on Gmail. There are many other things you can do with Gmail Call, so give it a try. If you haven't set it up already, you will need to install the video and chat plugin. Then just log onto Gmail and scroll down to where it says "Chat", you should see something that says "Call Phone". If you don't see this, don't worry, it just means your account has not been activated yet. It took my account a full day until it was activated. Give it a try and post your thoughts below.

*Thanks to Lifehacker for some of the ways to use Gmail Call.

~Dave

Where's the Mail!

Many times have I tried to find an email, but I just can't. It can become so frustrating to search through folders and folders, full of mail. In the end, it is just impossible sometimes to find that one email with the info you need. However, if you use Gmail and Firefox, or Google Chrome, there is a solution! A browser plug in called CloudMagic is a quick and convenient way to find certain emails. Much like Windows' built in search, and Mac OS X's Spotlight, CloudMagic indexes your email and allows you to find mail quickly and easily. Once installed, log into Gmail and you will notice the search box for CloudMagic in the top right corner. To set it up, click on the drop down menu and click "Manage Accounts". Put in your credentials and it will start indexing your email. After that, head back to Gmail and you can now use CloudMagic to search through your emails. In addition, if you are composing a message and need info from another message, use CloudMagic to search for that message and copy the information you need. No need to tab to another page and find the message. This is a growing addon and will support other mail clients soon, so make sure to check back on their website!

~Dave

Grab it before it's gone!

A couple nights ago, I had quite an experience. My friend and I were talking, and he mentioned how he wished he had "name grabbed" his name on Gmail. I asked him what he meant by that, and he explained to me that "name grabbing" is when you get you full name as your email. For example: John.Smith@gmail.com would be considered name grabbing if John Smith acquired it. When I heard this from my friend, I immediately went Gmail to check if my name was still available, and to my surprise it was! I quickly filled out the form and got the email. I was so proud, I finally had the perfect email. I even went and had all my old email accounts forwarded to my new, name grabbed, email. One email to rule them all. I no longer have to check multiple sites, it is all in one place. In addition to that I spent a good hour organizing my contacts. So why am I telling you all this? I am telling you this because you should try and grab you name now, before someone else does. You may ask "Dave, why do I need to name grab an email, I am fine with the one I have.". Here is why you should get one. Imagine someone, a relative that lives across seas, asks to stay in touch and would like your email. Which would you feel more comfortable giving? Crazygamer69@gmail.com or firstname.lastname@gmail.com? I would pick the latter of the two, this way your relative doesn't give you a weird look and walk away. Not to mention how cool it is when your friends ask for your email and you can just give them your name. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and name grab your email!

~Dave