Aha, Finally it has happened. Google is rolling out new service to Gmail and Google+ users, which allows Gmail users to directly send email to Google+ users through their normal email compose window.
Here is how it works: When you are sending an email to a person and do not have email address of that person, but do have a Google+ connection, their Google+ name will appear in the suggestion dropdown menu as shown below:
You will not be able to view their email ID, but only the name. The email address isn’t visible to a Google+ connection unless you send that person an email, and likewise, that person’s email address isn’t visible to you unless they send you an email.
Google is rolling out this feature in a phased manner, so if you don’t see Google+ contacts right now, it must not be enabled for you as yet.
Good Or Bad?
Prima Facie this may appear to encourage spamming and to a certain extent invasion of your email inbox, after all it is your own personal email. But thankfully, Google has introduced 2 features that should help you to protect your privacy.
First and foremost, if you are opposed to anyone getting in touch with you who do not have your email ID, you can directly switch it off from your Google+ profile. You can choose to not allow anyone to send you an email, or allow only people who you have added in your circles.
And even if you decide to keep this feature active for everyone, you still have a filter mechanism in place. The new “Email Via Google+” feature takes advantage of Gmail’s inbox category features. Anyone who sends you email who are in your circles, it will go to your primary inbox. However, emails that come from people who are not in your circles will be filtered into the Social category (if enabled) and they’ll only be able start another conversation with you if you respond or add them to your circles.
Essentially the second feature will help tremendously in keeping your primary inbox uncluttered and weed out any unwanted emails into social category.
What we think?
I think it is a good feature to have – I am sure you have come across instances when you know a person want to genuinely get in touch with them, but do not have their email ID. It will tremendously help in such scenarios. At the same time, the 2 features will ensure that your inbox is not encroached upon by spam or mails from unwanted people.
I give it a thumbs up… What about you?
