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Google brings pop-up Gmail notifications to Chrome

by Pete Mason on 27 January 2011, 10:55

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Being the tech-savvy bunch of individuals that you are, we'd guess that a good number of HEXites use the combination of Chrome and Gmail to service their web-based needs. Now Google is making that pairing just a little bit more convenient by introducing pop-up desktop notifications whenever a new e-mail or chat message comes in.

The system uses HTML5 desktop notifications to launch a small pop up whenever a message arrives. It's enabled through an option in the Gmail settings menu, and can be toggled for chat messages and e-mails independently, or even reserved for important e-mails only. Obviously there needs to be a tab open to your inbox somewhere, although it doesn't need to be active.

The system seems to work very smoothly at the moment, although the notifications seem to come and go very quickly. Clicking on the pop-up will open a new window where you can carry on the conversation, or read and reply to the e-mail.

Obviously there are plugins or extensions that can do the same sort of thing already, but this update makes it just a little bit easier. It only works with Chrome at the moment, but according to the announcement, that's set to change. Google is pushing to have web notifications included in the standard Web platform, meaning that the same functionality could easily be extended to other compatible browsers.

Of course, the one downside is that you won't be able to use 'checking my e-mail' as an excuse to distract you from doing work anymore.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/gffjhibehnempbkeheiccaincokdjbfe
Google Mail Checker Plus

Been using this now for ages, does the same job. But a lot better.
Merson
Been using this now for ages, does the same job. But a lot better.

Not quite the same job though. AFAIK, if you're in another program that isn't Chrome, you won't see the notifications.

This pops up on the desktop, which is quite handy. Also doesn't require a separate plug-in.
Merson
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/gffjhibehnempbkeheiccaincokdjbfe
Google Mail Checker Plus

Been using this now for ages, does the same job. But a lot better.

Me too! Works well and integrates well.
BullDogg
This pops up on the desktop, which is quite handy.
So does that if you enable it. As long as chrome is open.
Or.. Gmail Notifier. Done that for me since ~2006, and lets me see at a glance if I have unread mail and I can tell it to run through what unread mail I have if I feel like it. And I don't need a web browser open either :)

Sure you could argue that it's better integrated into Chrome as then you don't need something else installed, and it might be more compatible with work computers - but surely the reality is that work computers aren't going to have the latest version of Chrome anyway? Unless of course you're able to personalise them, in which case I'd still rather stick with Gmail Notifier and be web browser agnostic.

Also, I can leave Gmail Notifier signed in without anybody being able to access my email account, so (unless I'm missing something), the potential for added security with minimal hassle (i.e. I can close t'interweb and go off somewhere, come back briefly and I can see at a glance what emails I've received without needing to log back in, unless I need to read them in more depth/reply to them.