Liberty's Blog: Gmail launches POP access Beta

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Gmail launches POP access Beta

Gmail started offering POP access to some of it’s users. There is no information on how they decided which user gets it and which doesn’t (same with if/how many invites each user get to distribute). This function has already been enabled by lots of third party tools, but has been expected from Google themselves for quite a while.

I don't know how widespread nor how quickly they will impliment it to its users. There are some programs available that will act as a gateway to import email into ones desktop. I'm looking forward to checking it out, but I'm getting used to Gmail's web interface and I don't know how much I will use it. The biggest advantage to a pop account for me will be the integration of Outlook's contact datatabase. When/If it becomes available to me, I will surely test this feature. What I wonder about is, "what is in it for Google?" Using Gmail for a pop account will not allow them to use their targeted advertising.