Gmail

Although not the first to offer internet e-mail, Google’s Gmail service is certainly one of the most popular e-mail services on the net. The service has grown from being a new-kid-on-the-block among a sea of competitors, to being one of the most useful services around.

Like many of Google’s other tools, what makes Gmail is spectacular is its integration with other Google technologies. As you might expect, searching for a particular e-mail is a snap. In fact, searching for information in your e-mail is so easy and sophisticated, that Gmail doesn’t need to use folders or sorting functions, a common way to organize e-mail and data on computers since the beginning. Instead, e-mail resides in a huge repository, ready to be searched through and sorted with just a few keywords.

Gmail also offers a generous amount of data storage, making easy to receive and store e-mails with attachments of practically any size. Google constantly updates the amount of data storage allowed, growing your account as your own needs grow. Gmail is perfect for allowing teachers to receive assignments from students. Certain file types can even be played or viewed directly from the Gmail page, since everything is kept in the cloud.

Gmail also has amazing spam filters that are constantly being updated. There’s no need to fear being put on a mailing list or giving out your e-mail address anymore. Gmail does a great job of keeping spam out of your inbox, and keeping only real mail coming in.

Gmail is accessible online, but it can also be accessed in your home e-mail program, or even on your mobile phone. This means that you can synchronize your e-mail usage and contacts among various devices.