Google is slowly rolling out a new feature to Gmail users: the ability to import existing mail and contacts via POP3.

For some time now, Gmail users have had the ability to “fetch” incoming mail from existing Yahoo!, AOL, Hotmail, etc. accounts but this marks the first time that you can actually migrate your entire inbox to Gmail with just one click.

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The Google-centric blog, “Google Operating System,” today points out a unique aspect of the new “private browsing” functionality built into the newly-released Google Chrome browser as well as the newest beta-release of Internet Explorer 8: the ability to manage multiple online personalities, i.e., different user profiles, in a single browser session.

The private browsing modes in both Chrome and IE8, referred to as “Incognito” and “InPrivate,” respectively, work the same way in that information such as cache, browser history, cookies for each private browsing window are stored in a separate, temporary location.

Basically, this means that the cookies generated by Gmail.com in one Internet Explorer “InPrivate” window remain completely separate from that of a different “InPrivate” window.

Of course, you’ll have to re-establish your logins for those accounts after closing Chrome/IE8 as the aforementioned temporary information is deleted once a private browsing window is closed. Also, the article to which I’ve linked above states that you can only be logged in to two different accounts at one time: one in a regular window and one in the private window. This is only true with Chrome as Google’s browser only allows one “Incognito” window open at a time. With IE8, on the other hand, you can have multiple “InPrivate” windows open at the same time which means that you can open and manage as many accounts on the same site (Gmail, Twitter, Digg to name a few) as you’d like.

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Technorati : IE8, Web, browser, chrome, google, microsoft

If you’ve ever been frustrated by an Instant Messaging client, be it for lack of functionality or just-plain-strange behavior, you should really check out  Digsby.

Background

Trust me, I’ve used my fair share of IM clients.  AIM was the first, of course, in tandem with Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger, followed by Pidgin, Trillian, meebo, Google Talk and, ultimately, Digsby.  You want to be able to chat with your friends/colleagues no matter what service they like so a multi-protocol IM client is almost entirely necessary now.  Of the aforementioned products, that leaves Trillian, Pidgin, meebo and Digsby. 

The Competition

Trillian Astra (currently in alpha-testing, not yet available to the general public) is a vast improvement over Trillian 3.0.  It’s lighter, faster, gorgeous and, like Digsby, keeps your profile and contacts synchronized on any computer you might be using.

Pidgin does not offer synchronization across multiple devices but it’s 100% open-source.  So, you’ve got a plethora of options when it comes to making the application conform to your needs via third-party plugins.

meebo, which I’ve covered before, sets itself apart from the group I’ve mentioned by being the only online-based IM client.  (There are competitors like eBuddy and Yoomba but I’ve only used meebo.)  Create an account at the site, store your AOL/Google/Yahoo!/MSN profiles in that account and you’re good to go.  There’s no need to download a client in order to chat with people…just log onto meebo.com in your Web browser – which you’ve most likely got open all the time anyway.  It’s the perfect tool for those on the go (or for those in a strict corporate environment.)

The Big Kahuna

Needless to say, there are plenty of other IM clients out there but, for the sake of brevity, I’m only going for the major players…or at least the ones I’ve used.)  So, in my opinion, what makes the privately held, NY-based Digsby stand above the rest?

First of all, the major IM protocols mentioned above are covered so, if you’ve got an account with one of them, you can use Digsby to connect to it.  That’s your basic stuff, though. 

The big benefit the program offers is its’ integration with multiple social networks including Facebook, Myspace and Twitter.  You can stay up-to-date with new Facebook friend requests, wall posts, Twitter tweets (and even create new ones – right from your system tray) and keep everyone up-to-date as to your current status.

You’re also given the ability check multiple E-mail accounts like Gmail, Yahoo!, Windows Live, AOL…or any POP or IMAP account for that matter.  You can keep track of your inbox, delete messages and send new messages – all without firing up your browser or favorite E-mail client.

Next up are the program’s little bells & whistles.  Perhaps my favorite Digsby feature are it’s intelligent notifications for new IMs.  Each incoming instant message brings a pop-up notification in the lower-right corner of your screen, inside of which is the content of the message being sent as well as a text-field you can use for your reply.  No need to switch over to your IM application and further distract yourself from work…just type out a quick reply and carry on with what you were doing:

In addition, you get notifications for new activity in your E-mail accounts and social networks.  (New Twitter tweets or Facebook new friend requests popping up aren’t quite as distracting as you’d think they’d be.  In fact, they’re really quite helpful.)

Digsby’s program preferences also bring some little surprises including extensive skinning and privacy options.  You even have the option to create a Digsby Facebook chat widget which can be added to your Facebook profile page:

Just About Perfect…

So, what’s it missing?  In my opinion, it just needs to integrate a few more services into the application.  As I stated above, you can already keep track of your Facebook, MySpace and Twitter accounts but, for me at least, it’s missing a few key services: Pownce (for those Twitter rebellions), Google Reader (for the items you can’t help to share), Last.fm, del.icio.us, Flickr and/or Picasa and, last but not least, RSS.  (RSS functionality may prove to be a little too distracting though.)

Further down the line, it might also be nice to see some options for video chat – for which the developers can definitely look to meebo for inspiration.

So, check out Digsby’s list of features or just download the program now (for Windows, Mac and Linux) and see for yourself.

We previously reported on Google’s interest in participating on the bid for the 700 MHz wireless spectrum bid from the FCC.  Well, Google announced today that a bid is definite.  Here’s a snippet from Google’s official press release:

As part of the nationally mandated transition to digital television, the 700 MHz spectrum auction — which begins January 24, 2008 — will free up spectrum airwaves for more efficient wireless Internet service for consumers. Advocacy by public interest groups and Google earlier this year helped ensure that regardless of which bidders win a key portion of the spectrum up for auction (the so-called "C Block"), they will be required to allow their users to download any software application they want on their mobile device, and to use any mobile devices they would like on that wireless network. The winner must ensure these rights for consumers if the reserve price of $4.6 billion for the C Block is met at auction.

Google’s formal application to participate in the 700 MHz auction will be filed with the FCC on Monday, December 3, 2007 — the required first step in the auction process. Google’s application does not include any partners.

Honestly, Google’s been able to do quite a bit of good with their money, power and influence and this will be yet another great accomplishment from Schmidt & Co.

Update: I neglected to mention that the official post on Google’s blog (link below) regarding the auction has some great details on how the whole process will work and what’s to be expected.  It might be worth reading.

Source: The Official Google Blog

Google just announced the "Google Apps Email Migration API" for Premier, Education and Partner versions of Google Apps (note the lack of "standard accounts" in that listing.)

Using the API, programmers can import E-mail from a vast, vast array of E-mail clients out there into the Gmail application of Google Apps.

Along with the API release from Google comes a new tool from LimitNone for you non-programmers currently using Microsoft Outlook.  gMOVE: Outlook Migration allows users to pick-and-choose Outlook E-mails (either individual folders or your entire folder structure) to be imported into your Gmail account.  This goes for Gmail OR Google Apps – including standard Google Apps accounts.  Beautifully priced at $19.99 (limited time only,) this tool could save you loads of time and frustration.

LimitNone also offers a separate tool, gXFER, for transferring Gmail account settings including E-mail, contacts and calendar entries to your Google Apps account.  This particular tool is absolutely free.

Google’s API Announcement:
http://google-code-updates.blogspot.com/2007/11/each-and-every-email.html