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Gmail’s Multiple Inbox is Really Multi-Pane Views, But I am Back to Classic

By on February 5, 2009

Gmail Labs is out with a new feature: multiple inboxes.  

Except that it’s not. Multiple inboxes, that is. Think about it: that would defy logic – unless we’re talking about handling multiple email accounts, which is clearly not the case here.  TechCrunch has it right

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, calling the new feature multi-pane viewing. That’s exactly what it is.

It’s also the first new Gmail development I don’t like: tried it, found the screen too busy, and I lost one of the key productivity boosters Gmail brought to us: the ability to read the first line of content from the list screen.  I actually think the productivity loss due to this is more than the “gain” from having multiple panes.  But of course it’s all a matter of preferences – what do you think?  Please cast your vote below (and if you’re reading this in a feed, please click through).

Thanks.

Update: I guess the poll isn’t too popular.  But Stowe Boyd agrees:

I just don’t want to have my workflow derailed, and messing with the inbox is just too close to the bone.

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Publisher / Editor @ CloudAve and Enterprise Irregulars. Industry Observer, Blogger, Startup Advisor, Program Chair @ SVASE (Silicon Valley Association of Startup Entrepreneurs). In his "prior life" spent 15 years immersed in the business of Enterprise Software, at management positions with SAP, IBM, Deloitte, KPMG and the like.

5 responses to “Gmail’s Multiple Inbox is Really Multi-Pane Views, But I am Back to Classic”

  1. Gmail Labs in Action-Features “Multiple Inboxes”. | Techmeme@MyRecap
    Gmail Labs in Action-Features “Multiple Inboxes”. | Techmeme@MyRecap February 6, 2009 at 2:51 pm |

    [..] fromCloudAvebrings out the bads about the “Multiple Inboxes”. The author says, [..]

  2. Lisa
    Lisa February 11, 2009 at 1:07 pm |

    I like it because I set it to display only 5 lines and I put it above my regular inbox. Not as annoying there. I agree that the name is misleading and confusing.

  3. « Multiple Inboxes », nouvelle fonction de Gmail lab. | Techmeme@MyRecap
    « Multiple Inboxes », nouvelle fonction de Gmail lab. | Techmeme@MyRecap February 13, 2009 at 5:37 am |

    [..] révèle les faiblesses de la fonction « Multiple Inboxes » surCloudAve: [..]

  4. Gmail 5 Second Delay | Venture Chronicles
    Gmail 5 Second Delay | Venture Chronicles March 19, 2009 at 10:52 pm |

    [..] I was so massively disappointed that the much heraldedmultiple inbox extensionactually doesn’t present multiple inboxes but rather multiple panes each with the same inbox content that is tagged with a different label. [..]

  5. Shaughn
    Shaughn July 6, 2010 at 10:34 am |

    You can use it as multi inboxes, if you have your gmail importing other gmails, then you set it up to do to one of the boxes. It is not only limited to this though. It is a little rough around the edges but it is also a Lab which means it is not ready yet. I love the concept.