Gmail as a web-based email client
This is just a great news item!! Google is working on a small (but very useful) feature to Gmail, called Mail Fetcher. It allows users to get mail from other (non-Gmail) accounts using POP parameters. As Google explains, Mail Fetcher is currently only enabled for a limited number of users, and they are working on making it more available.
Michael Arrington of Techcrunch says that now Gmail just got the perfection and suggests Google to implement an offline version of Gmail. Savino Sguera considers Mail Fetcher a big step towards the day the Web will be the platform apps will run onto. Andrew Ruess points out some things that can still be improved. Eric of Marketing.fm has some problems with Gmail 100% integration and suggests to backup-backup-backup. And DG just explains how to set up Mail Fetcher.
Considering what Gmail is and what Gmail may be, and considering that now you can both send to and receive from a non-Gmail account, in my opinion there is no one else (looking at Yahoo! Mail and MSN Hotmail) that can reach Gmail in terms of usability and flexibility, and of webspace availability for free. And it’s still a beta!
Moreover I do not think implementing an offline version of Gmail would be a good idea, because in this moment the trend is to use applications on the web and to build software to be used online. In my opinion offline email clients are out-of-date and are still used just for organizing emails from different accounts. Gmail (but Yahoo! Mail too) seems to become a web-based email client and this is the reason that why offline email clients will disappear soon.
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December 10th, 2006 at 2:59 am
Thanks for linking
Actually you’re right, that may look like a brave statement, but it’s just the way things are going.
They are obviously aiming at turning gmail into a platform if you know what I mean… which goes quite further the original scope of a free mail service.
I’m amazed by this move.
December 10th, 2006 at 4:21 am
Hi thanks for the link. I definitely think gmail will continue to evolve into an all in one solution but its not there yet. If there is any indicator that it is not ready for prime time simply look at the “beta” still there after so long. Clearly this product will continue to evolve for google and I must admit that I am a big fan of integrating all the features together. I am personally looking forward to s stronger integration with the calendar and then integrating JotSpot into the whole suite as well.
also - subscribed:)
December 10th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Thanks for the link
Gmail continues to improve its feature set and will continue to be better overall than Yahoo! or Hotmail. Mail Fetcher is proof of this fact. Anyway, great website and keep up the good work.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Thank you Koby.
December 28th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
I noticed I missed out some privacy implications coming from Mail Fetcher. Here are two controversial posts about these issues by Donna Bogatin at zdnet.com
http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/?p=752
http://blogs.zdnet.com/micro-markets/?p=755
January 3rd, 2007 at 10:12 am
Hi,
Nice blog, I’m DG from Dee’s-Planet! Blog. My new blog details are:
Blog Title: D’ Technology Weblog
URL: http://www.ditii.com
If possible, can you update the URL of my blog in your above post.
Keep reading.
Thanks & regards,
DG…
http://www.ditii.com
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Done!
January 7th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Hi franciov,
Thanks for updation.
DG…
July 28th, 2008 at 2:36 am
A silent tongue and true heart are the most admirable things on earth. http://www.laizjj.cn/
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
thanks you for link I missed out some privacy implications coming from Mail Fetcher.
August 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
i definetly think mail.I mean… which goes quite further the original scope of a free mail service.