One of the things I like most about Gmail is Labs, the experimental add-on features that you can enable through Settings -> Labs or via the little green flask icon next to your email address at the top right of the screen. Most of these features are put together in Google employees’ 20 percent time, and many of them are actually very useful.
Google very occasionally incorporates Labs features into Gmail (the Forgotten Attachment Detector, for example) but many of them seem destined to remain stuck as Labs features forever, and so probably won’t be seen by most Gmail users. With that in mind, which Gmail Labs features you think should “graduate” and become part of Gmail itself?
Here are the Labs features that I’d nonimate:
- Google Docs previews in mail
- Move Icon Column
- Send & Archive (this is such a small change, but it’s a huge time saver)
- Title Tweaks
Leave your picks in the comments.
My nominations would be Green Robot and Move Icon
I also think some type of Gadget Menu in Settings would be useful for Docs & Cal Gadget, and the “Add Any Gadget”.
I would nominate attachments detector and multiple inbox !!
Vipin
I agree with the article — moving the ‘attachment’ icon from the right to the left is a BIG help.
Thanks.
I think Forgotten Attachment has alrady graduated.
yes, the forgotten attachment detector is already part of Gmail
Multiple signatures and automatic setting of proper signature based on the email address you are sending from :)
2nd this one!
Probably not a Labs Feature – But I desperately want the ability to right click a message and create a task … And ability to place the tasks list where I want it on the console. Didn’t exactly answer the question though.
Mike
definitely canned responses. very helpful.
Send in the future. There are times where I want to set off a couple emails at say 9am tomorrow. Be nice to schedule the email to go out.
i second
I might be one of a select few that does not like the Move Icon Column option, as most emails I get do not have an attachment so the column takes up space and reduces the length of the email snippet in the next column.
For ones that have attachments, the paperclip is pretty eye-catching so it’s still easy to skim for emails with attachments, or you can always just type “has:attachment” in the search box (you don’t have to type the whole thing, it auto-completes) to get just emails with attachments.
So basically I hope that feature stays in labs so I have the choice :)
If it’s possible to get a receiver’s status like if he has read the mail?