Gmail sets up multiple inboxes
Summary
Google has unveiled a new Gmail Labs feature that allows users to have more than one inbox in their default Gmail view.
Topics
Google has unveiled a new Gmail Labs feature that allows users to have more than one inbox in their default Gmail view.
The new feature — called Multiple Inboxes — allows users to have multiple viewing panes open simultaneously without having to open another browser window. The upgrade to the web email software gives users a quick view of important labels as well as of saved searches.
Google software engineer Octavian 'Vivi' Costache explained in a company blog post why he used his '20 percent time' to develop the Gmail feature:
"I'm seriously into filters and labels. All the email I get related to Flash goes under my 'flash' label, everything about paragliding goes under 'flying', and they all skip my inbox because that's how I like to stay organized. But when new email arrives I have to switch to the 'flash' label first, then click on 'paragliding', etc. I wanted a way to see it all at once."
The move could help those who use their Gmail accounts for multiple personal email lists, as well as for work.
This article was originally published on CNET News.com.
Talkback Most Recent of 14 Talkback(s)
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This is really cool
I heard about this last night and set it up right away. I have 2 personal email accounts: a GMail account and an ISP account that I rarely use but is still linked to a couple things and is still used by friends who are totally incapable of updating their contact info. GMail uses POP to pull all my ISP mail into GMail and label it and archive it (I don't want that stuff in my Inbox since I want to know if it came through the ISP account). With this multiple inbox feature, I can keep all my mail separate but still see it at a glance. It works REALLY well. 
NonZealot6th Feb 2009 -
I set it up immediately after seeing this article.
I have a business account and work account being pulled into Google plus various labels with auto routing. This really came in handy and helps me feel more comfortable about making sure I don't miss certain emails.
The UI may need a touchup though. Or it could just be the theme I'm using.
storm14k6th Feb 2009 -
Same here, and agreed with the UI
Using it now, I really like it!
I found that if the new inbox's are set to the right they look wierd, but if they are below they are fine.
I'm using FF3 tho, anyone noticing these issues in other browsers?
DevJonny6th Feb 2009 -
RE: Gmail sets up multiple inboxes
I love it! I always cursed (mildly!) at Google because I couldn't have multiple instances open to see different
labels, accounts, etc, and this makes it much easier.
Lee
LeeAllure6th Feb 2009 -
RE: Gmail sets up multiple inboxes
how do I set the multiple inbox option. How do I turn it on.
gagan.sethi@...9th Feb 2009 -
How to!!!
Logon to gmail -> Settings -> labs -> search
for
'Multiple Inboxes' feature and then enable it.
After
that, there will be a multiple inboxes tab
(alongside
labs) and you can configure it accordingly.
bkrish2k45th Mar 2009 -
Need additional instructions
Okay, I've enabled the Multiple Inboxes feature, and I've added two additional email addresses, but when I am in the primary view there are two boxes on the right. One says "Search results for: is:starred" and it's all my starred items, and the box below it says "Search results for: is:drafts."
How do I get those boxes to change to my 2 additional email accounts I added?
SAStarling5th Mar 2009 -
Bad title
I don't think it means multiple inboxes in the sense of supporting email addresses. As far as I can tell, it merely means multiple folders, so that if you filter/sort your mails in an account, you can view more than one of those folders at a time.
Am I right?
Having said that, and now had a look at the options, you can also set Google Mail up to send mail from your other email addresses or to get mail from other accounts by downloading mail using POP3, so that should make it possible to use this feature to virtually read multiple mailboyes, even if they are actually all in one Google Mail account.
d.s.williams9th Mar 2009 -
Wanna love it, but UI needs work
First of all, Thank You! I'm always pleased when a new lab feature is rolled out, even if I don't end up using it.
I would love this in right side display mode if only I could resize the new inbox (smaller) and somehow change the display settings so it doesn't attempt to show as much info. Then this would be optimized for widescreen displays.
I might be dreaming of a widget with a different purpose. I want a secondary inbox to see the subject of important items that I have labeled for follow up, rather than try to view two complete inboxes. I use stars and a couple of labels to flag items for follow up, so it would be nice to have them sitting off to the side of my inbox to quickly access and re-label as I finish tasks.
I haven't tried placing the new inbox at the bottom of my screen because my widescreen's vertical display is already too small, but this might be a suitable option for folks with standard displays.
Reply_account10th Feb 2009 -
RE: Gmail sets up multiple inboxes
Logon to gmail -> Settings -> labs -> search for
'Multiple Inboxes' feature and then enable it. After
that, there will be a multiple inboxes tab (alongside
labs) and you can configure it accordingly.bkrish2k45th Mar 2009 -
Thanks!
You answered my question.SAStarling5th Mar 2009 -
RE: Gmail sets up multiple inboxes
I read this as multiple mail boxes.
Sadly it wasn't - so it's of little use.
I expect it will appeal to the "I want to see things in a tiny little window" generation.
JeremyBoden5th Mar 2009 -
It can, or can appear to!
In fact, it really can read or send from multiple mail boxes, or at least appear to.
See my post above!d.s.williams9th Mar 2009 -
RE: Gmail sets up multiple inboxes
very good
Aarne6th Mar 2009
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