Google has just announced that people using the Google Chrome browser will have the option to have new Gmail and Gchat notifications appear on their desktop as a pop up notification so that no matter what software you’re using or what website you’re on, you don’t have to download a clunky extension or obsess over visiting gmail.com to see new messages.
My Chrome asked me last night if I wanted it to start pushing notifications, and all I had to do was say “yes,” but it appears that most users will have to go into settings and scroll down to select notifications for both be turned on.
The reason this is exciting is not so much that it’s a fancy new feature but that Google indicates they’d like to make notifications “a standard part of the Web platform.” The implications for notification pushing is fantastic, as I see a future where third party apps (developed on a college freshman’s Android that he’s since forgotten about and doesn’t update) are baked into the actual browser.
What’s more, I see a significant impact on tablet technologies with this being part of the browser. I see a future of being able to opt in or out of Facebook notifications as pop ups, new email as pop ups and more, which is why I believe this is Google’s play at eliminating the need for competing browser, RockMelt.
But for now, it’s just a useful setting that is already streamlining my efforts as I don’t have to go back to Gmail.com all the time like I have forever.
Mike
January 28, 2011 at 11:54 am
Lani,
I was sitting on the fence about switching from Explorer to Chrome around the time your last article about Google Chrome was posted. Your article convinced me to switch. This was the best computer related decision I’ve made since switching from dial-up to High-speed. Thanks.
Lani Rosales
January 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I am SO glad to hear it!!