Google has a an online calendar, email service, and even an office suite. But for some reason, the company hasn't offered a to do list application to round out its suite of Microsoft Outlook-like services -- until now.

If you check out the Labs section of your Gmail preferences today you may notice a new option called Tasks. Once you enable this feature, you'll be able to add any email message to your task list either by selecting "Add to Tasks" under the More Actions menu or by hitting Shift+T if you have keyboard shortcuts enabled.

Once the to do list is open, you can also add tasks using keyboard shortcuts or by hitting the plus button. Or you can mark off completed items, rearrange your list, or perform all sorts of other functions.

You can also bring up the to do list by hitting the Tasks link that shows up below Contacts in Gmail's left hand navigation.

If you're looking for a way to add a task list to Gmail that's always visible from the sidebar, you can also add a widget from third party task manager Remember the Milk.

[via TechCrunch]