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December 6, 2008

Gmail Gadget for Google Desktop

Google Desktop's integration with Gmail has always been slow and unreliable: Google Desktop could fetch and index the messages from a Gmail account, but this could take days. The new Gmail gadget for Google Desktop doesn't add your messages to the index, but it's a small version of Gmail's interface that sits in the sidebar. You can read your mail, send replies, star messages, perform searches directly from the gadget.


Here are some potential uses for the gadget:
* check your inbox from a fast-loading simplified interface
* find the email address of a contact: compose a message and use Gmail's auto-complete feature to obtain the address
* the fastest way to search Gmail: click on the Search option or type "/" and then enter your query
* preview your message while still viewing the list of messages, a feature that's not available in the standard interface
* add multiple instances of the gadget for different Gmail accounts (the gadgets works with Google Apps accounts too).

The gadget can be installed from this page and it's worth mentioning that it doesn't support notifications yet.
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12 comments:

  1. FreudDecember 6, 2008 at 5:26 PM

    Windows only :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. bretDecember 6, 2008 at 5:40 PM

    could you explain how to add multiple instances? when I download again the gadget, save it under another name and launch, my first window is activated... What should I do?
    thanks for the info!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex ChituDecember 6, 2008 at 5:45 PM

    A better way to add the gadget is using Google Desktop's "add gadgets" dialog. Click on the "plus" icon, search for "Gmail" and click on the gadget that has a red envelope. You can add the gadget multiple times.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 6, 2008 at 8:18 PM

    Are you sure it is by Google? There is a warning dialog box that says it is a third party gadget untested by Google!?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alex ChituDecember 7, 2008 at 12:50 AM

    You're probably installing a different gadget. This one has been features in a post from Gmail's blog and its manifest file says the author is Google.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Guy DeridetDecember 7, 2008 at 5:03 AM

    I prefer to create a Gmail application shortcut from Google Chrome.It's quicker and doesn't use so much system resources.

    In fact I use a lot of Google products but when I want to find something in my computer I use SearchGT or Search Everything which allow to find quite everything without indexing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousDecember 11, 2008 at 1:11 AM

    do you know if this works with GMAIL for Domains?

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousDecember 12, 2008 at 1:05 PM

    looks interesting must check it out...

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousDecember 16, 2008 at 3:21 AM

    Want to say one Quote here-"Handsome is as handsome does",google you are rocking.Want to try all your new inventions.I was much satisfied with the google desktop having right now.Expecting more updates from you guys.wish you a prosperous X-mas and new year.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousDecember 18, 2008 at 1:51 AM

    is any one else having trouble logging in? i have tried several accounts including apps accounts...no joy connecting tho..

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMarch 24, 2009 at 9:23 AM

    Very nice Gmail gadgets.I always using this on my Gmail Account

    ReplyDelete
  12. StephenMarch 31, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    It's gone! It was there on Friday, but it's gone now! Where is it - I'd got used to it....

    ReplyDelete

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