Gmail's New Interface for Composing Messages

[menotu]

googlesystem.blogspot - October 30, 2012

There are many tricks that let you compose a Gmail message in a new window: you can press "Shift" while clicking the "Compose" button, use the "Shift+c" shortcut or click the "pop-out" icon if you've already started to compose a message. Composing a message in a new window lets you use Gmail's search feature, read other messages and even write multiple messages at a time.

"The new compose pops up in a window, just like chats (only larger). This makes it easy to reference any other emails without ever having to close your draft. You can even do a search or keep an eye on new mail as it comes in. And because the compose window works the same way as chats, you can write multiple messages at once and minimize a message to finish it later."

The new interface also brings a feature from Yahoo Mail: recipient boxes that can be removed or dragged and dropped to other fields ("to:", "cc:", "bcc:"). There's a new icon that shows text formatting features, an icon for attachments and a "+" icon for embedding photos, links, emoticons and Google Calendar events.

http://googlesystem.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/gmails-new-interface-for-composing.html

Support - Gmail's new compose and reply experience

https://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2645922&rd=1

[agmg]

I find it nice. It lets you browse other Gmail folders while composing a message without having to remember to press "Shift" everytime. There is also a "maximize" button that puts this popup in a new window. Faster and simpler. It takes some time to get used to it, though.

Google Drive has also a similar popup when using the web interface to upload files...

[menotu]

Posted by Phil Sharp, Product Manager - gmailblog.blogspot

Gmail's new compose now default

You are busy people, so it's no surprise that an overwhelming number of you opted to try out Gmail's faster, simpler compose experience after it launched last October. In addition to telling us what you love about the new compose experience (like how much easier it is to multitask!) you’ve also been sending us helpful suggestions for what features you'd like to see added. As a result of your input, we're now ready to introduce the new compose experience as the default for everyone. We're looking forward to hearing what you think!

If you're already using the the new compose experience, you've probably noticed it's gotten a lot of upgrades over the last few months, from a new way to send files with Google Drive to much-requested features like pop-out replies. We’ve also added support for originally missing features like starring and labeling when composing and the Canned Responses lab.

The new compose will be rolling out to everyone over the next few days. You can learn more in our help center, or follow us on Google+, where we'll be posting more tips for using the new compose.

http://gmailblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/gmails-new-compose-now-default.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+OfficialGmailBlog+%28Gmail+Blog%29

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Posted by Phil Sharp, Product Manager - gmailblog.blogspot

Gmail and Drive - a new way to send files

Since Google Drive launched in April, millions of people have started using Drive to keep, create and share files. Starting today, it’s even easier to share with others: you can insert files from Drive directly into an email without leaving your Gmail.



Have you ever tried to attach a file to an email only to find out it's too large to send? Now with Drive, you can insert files up to 10GB -- 400 times larger than what you can send as a traditional attachment. Also, because you’re sending a file stored in the cloud, all your recipients will have access to the same, most-up-to-date version.

Like a smart assistant, Gmail will also double-check that your recipients all have access to any files you’re sending. This works like Gmail’s forgotten attachment detector: whenever you send a file from Drive that isn’t shared with everyone, you’ll be prompted with the option to change the file’s sharing settings without leaving your email. It’ll even work with Drive links pasted directly into emails.

So whether it’s photos from your recent camping trip, video footage from your brother’s wedding, or a presentation to your boss, all your stuff is easy to find and easy to share with Drive and Gmail. To get started, just click on the Drive icon while you're composing a message. Note that this feature is rolling out over the next few days and is only available with Gmail's new compose experience, so you'll need to opt-in if you haven't already.

http://gmailblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/gmail-and-drive-new-way-to-send-files.html

[Mike]

Well, if they follow Hotmail's d/a format (outlook) it will be a means charging us to use it......