Tag Archives: Message

Gmail composer goes to a simple pop-up, gives multitaskers freedom to fly

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Gmail composer goes to a simple popup, gives multitaskers freedom to fly

As much as Gmail shines when it's on the web, some of its most avid users stay in native apps for the multitasking; having to check a past message in the web client has usually meant putting the current draft on hold, or at least maintaining a near-photographic memory. Google wants to translate some of that desktop experience to the web through a new composition interface it's testing as of today. New messages start off in a shrinkable pop-up that lets us find old threads without having to put the new conversation on ice, even we're indecisive enough to leave multiple unfinished e-mail messages open. Other upgrades lurk in the background for the more focused among us, such as a pared-back composition interface, in-line photos and a reply box that dynamically adapts to the space it needs. Only those in the preview will see the Gmail update for now; Google is promising a wider launch in the months ahead that could save us all a few precious minutes each day.

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Gmail composer goes to a simple pop-up, gives multitaskers freedom to fly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype confirms fix rolling out for instant messaging bug

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When one of your main services throws up a pretty embarrassing bug, you're going to want to squash that quick. Skype has stepped up and done just that, according to its blog. The hotfix will be rolling out for version 5.10 for Windows, 5.8 for Mac, 4.0 for Linux and 1.2 for Windows Phone. Skype was also quick to point out that not all clients (and therefore users) were affected. If you were on 5.9 for Windows, version 2.8 for Android or Skype 4.0 for iOS, then the firm assures you that you won't be affected. The official line is that the fix should start arriving in the next couple of days, so still best to keep a lid on those office gossip chats for now. Let us know if you start getting the update in the comments below.

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Skype confirms fix rolling out for instant messaging bug originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype confirms ‘rare’ bug that sends messages to unintended contacts, promises fix soon

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'Rare' Skype bug sends messages to unintended contacts, fix promised soon Only a handful of Skype users have reported this problem over at the support forum, but what they're complaining about is pretty hair-raising. They say that, following an update in June, instant messages have repeatedly and unintentionally been forwarded to random people in their contact lists. In other words, third-parties are seeing stuff they were never meant to see, which constitutes a serious breach of privacy. Skype now tells us it's aware of the issue and is working on a fix. Here's the official response in full:

"We are aware that in rare circumstances IM's between two contacts could be sent to an unintended third contact. We are rolling out a fix for this issue in the next few days and will notify our users to download an updated version of Skype."


[Thanks, Kuldar]

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Skype confirms 'rare' bug that sends messages to unintended contacts, promises fix soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community

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Mozilla reportedly giving Thunderbird the effective axe, leaving its fate to the community

Mozilla's Thunderbird mail client just hasn't enjoyed the same level of stardom as its Firefox cousin. Their developer must be feeling this discrepancy more than most, as the company has confirmed plans to take the organization out of active Thunderbird development. The shift is officially being spun as an adaptation that lets the Foundation center its energy on Firefox OS and the usual browser plans, but when Mozilla proper will only be handling bug fixes and security updates for a client that's "not a priority," we'd say it's putting Thunderbird on ice. Accordingly, leaked details from TechCrunch show Mozilla moving some of the team out of the project at some point; any new features will have to come from the community, which suggests the future upgrade schedule will be more than a bit unpredictable. The writing is on the wall soon enough that existing owners could have food for thought well before a final strategy is due in early September.

Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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App Decides if Messages Are Good or Bad: I Can’t Decide If It’s Good or Bad

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Mobile devices make it easy to reach out to other people and stay connected. Most times it’s a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Would it help if you were told which messages will make you feel good or bad? Two computer scientists think so, and they have made an Android app that does just that.

stress at work color coded message app

The app was made by master’s student Lorraine Chambers and Dr. Mohamed Gaber of the University of Portsmouth School of Computing. The app uses sentiment analysis to decide if a Facebook, Twitter or text message is “good” or “bad”, i.e. it looks at the presence of certain words or phrases. The app labels good messages with a green highlight, bad ones with red and neutral ones with blue. The screenshot above should give you a good idea of what words can sway the app. The user will also be able to teach the app to improve its process, so you can keep saying things like “ill” and “wicked” and “Michael Bay is a genius.”

The intention behind it is pure, but I’m not sure if the app itself is a practical tool. A psychologist interviewed by BBC points out that even if a message was labeled “bad”, it might not give us peace of mind if we avoid reading that message. We’ll only end up worrying – or at least curious –  about the contents of the message.  And that’s assuming that the app works. Speaking of which, I don’t think the app will approve of its name: Stress @ Work.

[via University of Portsmouth via Tom's Guide & BBC]


A day in the life of a Gmail email

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A day in the life of a Gmail email

Electronic mail, or email to those in the know, has become so ubiquitous and transparent that many take for granted the effort and engineering required to make this near-instant communication medium a reality. In an effort to remind the general public about this digital miracle, Google (a company that knows a thing or two about the subject) has launched a new mini-site dubbed The Story of Send. The web novella leverages animations and videos to explain what happens to a Gmail dispatch once it's jettisoned from your mail client of choice. Message transmission, data security and green computing initiatives are just a few of the topics on the menu. Saunter past the break, have a peek at the video primer then make sure to check out the full Story of Send site.

Continue reading A day in the life of a Gmail email

A day in the life of a Gmail email originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Story of Send, Official Gmail Blog  | Email this | Comments

Twitter now sending email summaries, will keep weekly tabs on the Biebs

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Twitter hasn't wasted any time in making good on its Summify acquisition. Not even half a year after the ink has dried, you can now opt to get a curated summary of the "most relevant Tweets" and linked stories sent to your email inbox. The layout borrows more than a few cues from the new Discover tab and will let you respond from the email message itself, although we can imagine friends being slightly irked at reviving a conversation that was so very three days ago. Even so, once the option has rolled out to everyone within the space of a few weeks, it'll be an easier way to keep up on one Mr. Bieber's Twitter adventures without others' pesky life events and politics getting in the way.

Twitter now sending email summaries, will keep weekly tabs on the Biebs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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