Three Great New Gmail Add-ons: Offline Gmail and More

Google has added new features to its Gmail service during the past couple months that make the Web-based e-mail service more business-friendly and versatile. Here's a look at three free add-ons that could really improve your usual Gmail routine.

Gmail is part of Google Apps, the Internet giant's software package that includes e-mail, calendar, documents, spreadsheets and sites (a wiki). Anyone can get a free Google Apps account by singing up for Gmail, while businesses can buy a premier edition for US$50 per user per year.

You can install the following three add-ons with either version (free or paid) of Gmail. To add them, you must first go to Gmail Labs. To access Gmail Labs, click on the green beaker in the upper right hand corner of your Gmail inbox (it appears next to the "settings" tab).

If you like these add-ons, be sure to scan our previous Gmail Add-on reviews: five favorite Gmail add-ons and five (more ) favorite Gmail add-ons . As the Google guys will tell you, all of these features are experimental, so don't be surprised if you see some kinks.

1. Offline Gmail

How it helps do no evil: Call it the airplane problem. One of the hang-ups businesses have had in adopting Gmail for their workers has been offline e-mail access. With traditional, client-based e-mail, it's easy to launch your Lotus Notes or Microsoft Outlook and type out some e-mails while in an area sans Wi-Fi. After balking at the need for offline e-mail for quite some time, as any offline software essentially runs counter to Google's business model, the company finally relented with offline Gmail that allows you to work on e-mails in your browser while you're not connected to the Internet.

Sign up for ITworld's Daily newsletter
Follow ITworld on Twitter @IT_world

• Email
• Print
• Share
  • Slashdot
  • Digg
  • Stumble
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine