We added Gmail's official blog to our bookmarks a while ago, as the tips and tricks that Google insiders give you about the program they themselves created, and continue to foster, are for sure the most helpful. Well, Gmail Labs has added a brand new feature that is sure to get some use from office gossips and jilted ex-girlfriends everywhere... un-send your e-mails!
Undo Send in Gmail?!?! OMFG... Is it Real?!
That's right! Enable 'Undo Send' in your Gmail Labs settings, and you’ll start seeing a short link to "undo" next to the sent mail confirmation on every one you send.
Gmail is going to start holding your e-mails for five seconds after you click "send." If nothing happens in those five short seconds, or you close your browser, your e-mail goes on its merry little way to its destination.
But click “Undo,” and Google grabs the message and brings it back into draft mode, with the specified recipient being none the wiser. Your ex-boyfriend will never know you wanted to bone him when you got home from the bar Saturday night and Judy in accounts payable will have no idea you hate her new haircut.
The new feature can't retract e-mails more than five seconds old, so you gotta act quick. But apparently, the Gmail engineers' theory is that "even just five seconds would be enough time to catch most of those regrettable emails."
We've already tried it out, and it worked! So here's to hoping this feature sticks around past April Fool's Day...
Comments (6)
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OMFG is right! I've been waiting for something like this for years. There have been so many times when I've sent forwards to friends with bitchy intros, only to realize I hit reply instead. This is sure to help me hone my Blair Waldorf conniving!
view soniaz's profile
I remember AOL having something like this many years ago in the 90's. It may have only worked with other aol users or something but I was sad when I gave up my account. Wait, replace the word "sad" with "born again". It was a cool feature though.
view maximumHOTbottom's profile
The use of a four-letter acronym doesn't disguise the poor taste of both writer and editor in using street language. The content is fine, but style and usage get an "F". Isn't this web site concerned with the best practices of high style? Well, "om**" isn't it.
view rapunzel's profile
For those people who use Outlook you have had this ability for years. It does require some knowledge of the software you are using though; as you have to set up a 'rule' to do this.
The rule delays all outgoing messages for a defined period of time. The email sits in the drafts folder for a bit longer before being sent, thus allowing you to recover from any mistakes made before they become an embarrassment.
Here's a walkthrough:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/microsoft-office/use-outlook-rules-to-prevent-oh-no-after-sending-emails/
view RJHD3's profile
5 seconds is probably enough. Might be good to hold it for longer. Or something like until you navigate away from the post send page.
view wunami's profile
Rapunzel,
As one who laments the erosion of our language, I hesitate to criticize your attention to editorial style, but I must interject on behalf of the writer and editor.
"OMFG" is indeed a coarse colloquialism, but let's not get carried away with Strunk & White. Style, usage, and best practices need not interfere with a little humor and fun on a blog. Within the context of a blurb about composing and sending (and unsending!) emails, referencing commonly used 'e-slang' is amusing. And if the "f" in "omfg" is too blue for you, all I can say is: "Loosen up!"
Unplggd, thanks for the tip.
view secret_agent's profile