Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Business
  3. News

Google is bringing native add-on support to Gmail

Christian de Looper
By

gmail app
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Gmail could soon get a whole lot functional. Google will now allow developers to create add-ons for Gmail, which will work directly in Gmail instead of as a Chrome extension. What that means is that they’ll be usable all across the web and on multiple different types of devices.

For now, however, the new feature will primarily be for enterprises. The company is working with Intuit, Salesforce, and Prosperworks. According to Google, the add-ons will depend on context, so they may or may not show up depending on the content of the email that you’re replying to. Currently, add-ons for Gmail are only available as a developer preview.

Recommended Videos

The new Intuit Gmail add-on will perhaps be the most useful, and it allows users like QuickBooks small business customers to quickly and easily generate invoices straight from Gmail itself.

Related

The fact that Google is at least thinking about add-ons for Gmail suggests that we could soon see the feature roll out on a wider scale. Not only that, but as developers start building add-ons, they could become more and more useful for the general consumer. For now, however, keep in mind that they’re enterprise-focused.

“They’re built on a powerful framework, which makes it easy for developers to trigger workflows based on email content,” said Google in a blog post announcing the new feature. “Say a Gmail user receives an email from a sales lead, and wants to add that contact to her CRM solution. With Gmail Add-ons, she can enter the contact’s required info and look up their account in that CRM system without leaving Gmail.”

It’s also important to note that, at least for now, there won’t be an add-on marketplace where you can get these Gmail add-ons. Instead, according to a report from The Verge, companies will need to partner with Google to get access to the functionality. It’s very possible that will change in the future though.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Christian de Looper
Christian de Looper
Contributor
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Google Pixel 8a: news, rumored price, release date, and more
Possible renders showing the Google Pixel 8a.

Not long ago, it seemed like the Google Pixel 7a would be the last smartphone in Google's Pixel A series. However, recent rumors indicate that this may not actually be the case.

As a result, we're likely to see the release of a Google Pixel 8a this year. What can we expect from this new budget phone in terms of its specs, design, price, and more? Let's take a closer look at everything we know about the Google Pixel 8a.
Google Pixel 8a: release date

Read more
Here’s every color that will be available for the Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 7a in Snow leaning on lamp post.

What is there left to say about the Google Pixel 8a at this point? We've seen the phone's design in numerous renders and hands-on photos, its specs are all but confirmed, and we have a good idea of when it'll be announced. Well, one of the phone's last remaining details has now just been spoiled: the colors in which it will be available.

On April 12, Android Headlines published multiple official-looking renders of the Pixel 8a. The renders confirm the phone's design, which we've been seeing for months, including its rounded corners and dual rear cameras. For the first time, though, these new renders reveal the official colors the Pixel 8a will come in. There are apparently four to look forward to, including Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, and Mint.

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 8
A person holding the Google Pixel 8, showing the back of the phone.

The Google Pixel 8 is a well-received Android-based smartphone. However, there are reasons why you might not choose it and opt for something else. Perhaps its 6.2-inch display does not meet your requirements, or its camera system does not match your expectations. It could also be possible that you would prefer a phone released in 2024 instead of one launched late last year.

If you’re not interested in buying the Google Pixel 8, several alternative phones may be more suitable for your needs. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 has the same-sized display as the Pixel 8 but with better internals. Alternatively, you could consider the OnePlus 12R, which offers a bigger display and better internals at a lower price. And that's just scratching the surface.

Read more