Gmail Labs : A New Testing Zone Of Google

On 5 June, 2008 the techno master Google launched a new feature called Gmail Labs. It is an attempt to make the network between the provider and the user become more interactive. No more a proprietary service this application/feature now provides a platform to write and deploy modules for the e-mail and chat program. Set within the regular gmail interface, new programs and extensions can also be posted for users to try and put in their feedback. That is why perhaps gmail labs is called a testing area.

But at present; only Google employees can post modules and “beta” add-ins on gmail labs. Soon the application would be open to all the users, outside developers. Gmail labs can be accessed by users of the Better Gmail Firefox extension.

In Britain and US, the users can activate gmail labs by clicking the “settings” button and selecting the “Labs” tab which has multiple experimental features/modules. Once the labs are activated on the gmail account modules can be activated or deactivated any time.

One of the principal benefits is that multiple Gmail Labs features can be enabled at once, whereas Google Search Labs features can only be enabled one at a time.

The user gets myriad options of modules to choose from like Superstars, Pictures in chat, fixed width font, quick links, custom keyboard shortcuts, mouse gestures, signature tweaks, muzzle, hide unread counts, a traditional snake game and even an option that will lock you out of Gmail and chat for 15 minutes for those who are obsessed or addicted to chatting .

But currently many such add-ons are trifling for the users. Gmail labs constitute such modules also which allow users to discuss the new features with other users. Some of the well-liked ones will become core parts of the product and ones that don't get much use will be ratified or eliminated (as written by Keith Coleman on gmail blog). This strategy is progressive as well as interesting. The new ideas or features which receive popularity can be modified and improvised.

With the commencement of this application, the networking giant Google has made a new policy for its Software Engineers to spend at least 20% of their time working on gmail labs. As per this policy Google coders get to work on projects that may not have yet been approved by the management. Many well-known Google projects have resulted from this 20% time they spent on new projects.