Download Squad

Sure, Gmail's been in beta since is launched almost four years ago. But you know that Google has thoroughly tested the email service at this point. And before publicly rolling out any features, the company conducts thorough internal tests. But now Google is getting ready to let the general public get in on the action with the launch of Gmail Labs.

Here's how it works. Starting tonight at 6pm PST, you should notice a new tab in your Gmail settings marked "Labs." When you click that tab, you'll have the option of adding new beta services that have not yet been extensively tested. As of tonight, there should be about 13 new features, including:

• A tool that lets you bookmark specific gmail messages
• Superatars tool that lets you choose custom stars to label your mail
• Mouse Gestures
• See profile pictures in Gmail chat
• An "email addict" option that lets you ban yourself from checking your email for 15 minutes

Right now all of the features will be created by Gmail engineers, but eventually Google may open the project so that third parties can create Gmail features that will be available to the general public. In the meantime, anyone can send feedback to the developers behind each add-on. Eventually the most popular add-ons will be added to Gmail.

[via WebWare and TechCrunch]