Double Gmail news whammy

Photo by M e d a

If you are an RSS freak "geek" then you'll love this tip from Google Operating System.

"Gmail has a very cool feature not available in other webmail applications: feeds for unread messages. For example, the feed...

mail.google.com/mail/feed/atom/

...shows the most recent unread items from your inbox. Gmail also offers feeds for your labels:

mail.google.com/mail/feed/atom/labelname/"

Clever right? And convenient because I need more ways to access my Gmail.

Flippancy aside it's worth noting that since unread mail is actually a label then replacing 'labelname' in the feed address above will give you all your unread mail. Worryingly simply, you can change 'http://' to 'https://' to get an all-so-secure version of your email. Use is limited however because you need a reader which allows authentication which counts out Google Reader and iGoogle. Boo.

In other Gmail news, the Official Gmail Blog reported a way in which you can tell if an email your friend sent you is worth reading, or if it is just a load of old rubbish. Robby Stein writes...

"I just started using a feature that further helps me quickly prioritize my email. When enabled, "personal level indicators" put arrows next to messages in your inbox so you can tell if an email was addressed to you, a group, or a mailing list that you're on.

A single arrow ("›") is automatically placed next to emails sent to you and others, and double arrows ("»") next to emails that are sent just to you."

Now its easy to tell those irritating and pointless huge facebook messages from your friends latest dilemma, cry for help or whatever else.

To switch this feature on, just go to settings and select 'Show indicators' under 'Personal level indicators'.