Just yesterday Google announced that an unread message count icon was now available by way of Labs for Gmail users running Firefox or Chrome. And now they have returned with another Gmail goodie, except this one is only for those running Chrome — desktop notifications for email and chat. The notifications can be turned on more »

As someone who generally has Gmail open in a tab all day long, its these little tweaks that make it a more enjoyable experience. That said, information at a glance is a good thing and the latest addition in the Gmail Labs does just that — allows you to see how many unread messages you more »

Google, by way of Labs, has recently begun offering previews of Google Maps in Gmail and Buzz. In other words, you can now see a preview of the map right inline with your email message. The new functionality does need to be enabled, however that is simple enough. In Gmail, just click on Settings -> more »

Find web news too slow? Google is looking to change that with its new lab service Fast Flip, a lighting fast view of a news page. Google believes that what is holding online news back is the time to load. Are they right? Users who are surrounded by newsprint and magazines should feel right at more »

In an effort to further give myself over to Google and make myself that much more dependent on Gmail, there has recently been a new feature released in the labs that should keep me (and other Google Voice users) locked in Gmail a little longer. That new feature goes along with the SMS to email more »

Google has recently taken Gmail, Calendar, Docs and Talk out of beta, and while some people may not have given it a second thought, there are some that seem to be missing the “Beta” tag. After all, it has been listed as beta for so long, most people were beginning to think that it was more »

Lots of Google properties have their own labs, like Gmail. Now, the Google Toolbar is getting its own set of labs. Right now, there are two labs. The toolbar is location aware. Google Maps will automatically fill in your current location via Wi-Fi access points. The “My Location” lab only works in the U.S. A more »

Google has once again added some new features to the Gmail Labs. The first new feature is something that plenty of people would have loved to have at some time or another — the ability to change your mind after you send a message. Now with the new Undo Send feature your can do just more »

GeekSugar has a feature on what it calls the “Top 10 Labs That Make GMail Better.” I’m not sure I agree with them. Here’s their picks and my opinions:

Calendar

This is really nothing special. Calendar apps are a dime a dozen these days and are a feature of many popular e-mail programs, including my current favorite, Windows Live Mail (although in all fairness, I am also a GMail user). GeekSugar mentions the fact that it lets you schedule your autoresponder in advance, but really, how many of us have a real need to use one, and how many more of us simply find them annoying?

Google is genuine proof that companies do listen to their patrons. Google has thrown some Labs features back into Gmail, features that are experimental and may or may not be added to the “final” version of Gmail. The entire Labs idea is to harness the creativity of the Google staff. Thirteen Labs features have recently more »