What's new in Google Mail?

BANGALORE, INDIA: Close on the heels of cyber attacks, Google on Friday announced new security features and extra storage for the Google Mail users.

According to a Google announcement HTTPS encryption has been introduced that keeps your mail secure as it travels between your web browser and Google Mail servers. The feature will now disallow someone sharing public wifi from maliciously reading your mails.

HTTPS by default

Google has introduced HTTPS encryption that keeps your mail secure as it travels between your web browser and Google Mail servers, so someone sharing your favourite coffee shop's public wifi can't maliciously read it. Banks and credit card companies use this same protocol to keep your online accounts safe.

To protect your Google Mail account, Google has turned on the option to "always use HTTPS" for everyone. This added layer of security can make Google Mail slower, so if you don't use unencrypted wireless connections, you can choose to disable this option in your account Settings.

"Even if you change this setting, Google Mail will always encrypt the login page to protect your password." the announcement said.

More storage

For users how need more space space for your email and photos, Google has introduced 20 gigabytes of storage for only $5 a year. Extra storage is shared between Google Mail and Picasa Web Albums and acts as an overflow if you use up your free storage.

New in Labs: "Got the wrong Bob?" and "Don't forget Bob"

Ever included Bob (your boss) instead of Bob (your friend) on an email by accident? Oops! Turn on "Got the wrong Bob?" and Google Maill will check if you meant to include Bob Smith rather than Bob Jones based on the groups of people you email most often.

With "Don't forget Bob," you can start composing an email to a group of people, and Google Mail will suggest other contacts you might want to include. Check out these experimental features and more on the Labs tab under Settings.

Four more themes

Make Google Mail look like a calm patch of grass or an old school video game. Can't decide? Choose "Random" and cycle through a different theme each day. Take a look at all available themes from the Themes tab under Settings.

New in Labs: Message translation

Turn on "Message translation" from the Labs tab under Settings, and whenever you receive an email in a language other than your own, Google Mail will automatically translate it into a language you can understand with just one click.

Tasks: the first graduate of Google Mail Labs

Available in Google Mail, Google Calendar, iGoogle and on your mobile phone, Tasks is the simple to-do list that's with you everywhere you go. Click "Tasks" above your chat list to get started (no need to turn it on from the Labs tab anymore). Learn more

Drag and drop labels

You can now drag labels onto messages and messages into labels, just like folders. The labels you use most often are easier to access right above your chat list. The rest are hidden but still accessible under "more". Customise which labels you see from the Labels tab under Settings.

YouTube, Picasa, Flickr, and Yelp previews

Instead of just links, see previews of photos, videos, and reviews right in your email. Turn on these and other experimental features from the Labs tab under Settings.

Undo send

Oops, hit "Send" too soon? Give yourself a grace period of a few seconds to cancel sending, then edit your message before sending again. Turn it on from the Labs tab under Settings.

Tasks mobile

Take your to-do list everywhere you go. Just go to mail.google.com/tasks from your mobile browser