3 New Experiments in Gmail Labs

 In June 2008, Gmail introduced Gmail Labs, a testbed for Gmail users to try out new features.

Gmail Labs is a way for us to take lots of the ideas we wouldn't normally pick and let you all (who use Gmail) decide whether they're good or not. When you sign in, you'll see a new page in Settings called Labs. It has a list of experimental new features, and you can enable or disable each one.

 Yesterday, they added 3 new features.

1. Custom label colors, by Mark K
2. Go to label keyboard shortcut, by Bruce D
3. Navbar drag and drop, by Anatol P

"Go to label keyboard shortcut" is the most useful addition.

enable keyboard shortcuts and press "g" then "l" to display the "Go to label" pop-up. Start typing, and your labels will be filtered as you go. You can use the arrow keys to select a label and hit "Enter" to select one.

I used Gmail keyboard shortcuts extensively.  However, in the past, you need to enter a sequence of keys ("/" + "l:{label name}") and remember the exact name of the label, in order to go there.  With this new feature, I don't need to waste my brain cells to remember all of my label's names.

Other Gmail Labs features I use that you may be interested

1. Quick Links by Dan P
2. Pictures in chat by Dave C
3. Signature tweaks by Keith C and Dave C