Google finally updates Reader's email feature

Filed under: Internet, Productivity, Web services, Google, Social Software

Google finally updates Reader's email feature

by David Chartier May 2nd 2007

Since Google Reader began reporting actual numbers of subscribers, we have since found out that it's actually one of the most popular web-based readers. That said, one of its least popular features has been its ability to email a feed item you're looking at. Reader would typically pop up a Gmail window, which in itself wasn't such a bad thing, but the message being sent was mostly mashed together gobbly-gook containing a 'This item was sent to you by a Google Reader...' message, along with the entire text of the post you were reading. Nearly anyone who's used the feature would likely agree that this was not the prettiest way to share something via email with your friends and colleagues. Adding insult to injury, it seemed like a trivial thing for Google to fix this feature; they simply could have tweaked the template that creates the Gmail message to contain maybe just a link to the feed item. Easy enough, right?

Well Google, staying true to their form, finally wound up doing much more than making a few changes to a template; they have completely revamped Google Reader's email feature to offer a vastly improved experience. Clicking 'Email' on an item now displays an in-line email compose window, complete with the ability to pull names and addresses out of your Gmail account. As for what the message actually sends, Google also went above and beyond by including the news item in its entirety; headline, pictures, links - the whole nine yards. While this might not be such great news to those who use plain-text email clients and services, Google is probably betting that most recipients of Reader-shared messages are using Gmail or some other form of capable client.

The new email features should be live and kicking for all Google Reader users, as we noticed them already enabled on our accounts.

Tags: email, email this, EmailThis, feature, features, gmail, gmail this, GmailThis, google, google reader, GoogleReader, reader

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

DaveTehWave said 8:28PM on 5-02-2007

If you're like me and have been logged into GReader all day, F5 the page. The refresh will enable the new functionality.

Dave

Shaun Rotman said 9:42PM on 5-02-2007

Um... One problem. For those who have multiple email accounts they use through their GMail account, one feature has gone missing.

I have been using the email feature forever, sending posts to coworkers, friends, etc. but being able to CHOOSE who to show the email was from (my work email for coworkers, other for friends, etc.).

It seems that with the new changes we only have a "To" field and no longer a "From" field...

Counterproductive if you ask me.

Matt Petty said 6:39AM on 5-03-2007

I agree with Shaun. I don't always want people to get email from my GMail account. And I certainly don't always want the whole article sent. What's a wrong with a link? Hmm. Not impressed.

DownloadSquad said 1:00PM on 5-03-2007

I'm fine with sending the entire article - it's one less step for the recipient.

What's not cool is (1) not letting me pick the from email (I never use my Gmail addy to send things, always an alternative DEA) and (2) not using the name in the from email (I sent a test and the "from" was the username, not the "real name" of the email address.)

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