Is Google preparing Gmail for general rollout?
Today I noticed that I have this little box in my Gmail account saying that I've now got 50 Gmail invitations. When I looked yesterday, I still had the link saying I had 3.
And I noticed from a post by Josh Hallett that he's also got 50 invitations. I bet many other Gmail account owners have the same. Hence my question - does this indicate preparation of some kind for a general rollout? Maybe by flooding out greater volumes of invitations in one go? Or maybe get some more buzz through bloggers posting speculative commentaries ;) One thing I did notice, in Gmail's instructions on how to invite people, is that the text was updated yesterday to reflect the change, ie, the little box instead of just a text link as it was before.
Gmail has been very successful so far. And the days seem to be gone when if you posted on your blog that you had 6 invitations, you'd be swamped with requests for one within a minute or two of your post.
So what do I do with 50 invitations? Everyone I know has a Gmail account now. Is there a charitable cause, preferably here in Europe, I can offer these to?
Yep Neville, I've got the "50 invites" box too.
Posted by: Drew B's take on tech PR | 04 February 2005 at 11:09
So what to do with them all, Drew, is the question. I know there's a programme in the US to donate email address to the military for the troops in Iraq. Is there something similar in the UK, do you know? Nothing here in the Netherlands.
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 04 February 2005 at 14:09
Neville, I found 50 more Gmail invites in my account as well. Although I immediately offered them up on my blog to anyone who happens by, I like your idea of donating them to a charity better. I'll keep checking back here to see if anyone has noted a worthy recipient. Do you have a link to the programme in the US that you mentioned?
Oddly, it almost feels like a burden to have so many Gmail accounts to give away.
Posted by: Karl Swedberg | 04 February 2005 at 17:33
Neville:
There's still quite a bit of pent-up demand, at least based on what I'm seeing on my blogs. I'm giving them out as fast as I can reply to requests (at last count, I've handed out 30 this morning).
--Marc
Posted by: Marc Orchant | 04 February 2005 at 19:22
Marc, I saw someone's post this afternoon saying they had 150 invitations listed!
Karl, the place to go is Gmail4Troops (catchy name!):
http://www.gmail4troops.com/
However, I just looked at the site - and they're not taking Gmail donations any more! Looks like they've been flooded with donations of email addresses.
But there's another one linked from there:
http://www.gmailforthetroops.com/
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 04 February 2005 at 22:59
And here's another resource, Karl. I just received an email from Simon Bellwood telling me about isnoop.net's Gmail invite spooler -
http://isnoop.net/gmailomatic.php
Check out their stats from a link on the home page - rocketed skywards since yesterday.
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 04 February 2005 at 23:48
There is also a popular forum that donates 1,000 gmail invitations daily!
http://www.gmailinvitation.com
send them to them
Posted by: Matt | 05 February 2005 at 11:17
Thanks for that, Matt. I just took a look at that forum. Wow! Invitations everywhere.
Interesting that there seem to be literally thousands of Gmail invites on offer yet few takers.
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 05 February 2005 at 11:42
I'd like to receive a GMail invitation. Thanks. The blogspot is just a site for interchange emotions. Bye.
Posted by: Mary M. Pisciotti | 19 February 2005 at 00:54
Invitation on its way, Mary!
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 19 February 2005 at 14:49
hi please send me a gmail invitation.
Nalini
Posted by: Nalini | 20 February 2005 at 18:34
yes please!!!!!!!
Posted by: swanee | 21 February 2005 at 02:44
i'd like to receive a gmail invitation
Posted by: Alison Phelps | 21 February 2005 at 10:18
Sorry - typo in my email address
i'd like to receive a gmail invitation
Posted by: Alison Phelps | 21 February 2005 at 10:19
id luv a gmail invitation plz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Deren Kirby | 21 February 2005 at 11:58
I want one :P please
Posted by: salvador | 21 February 2005 at 22:46
i'd like to receive a gmail invitation too :)
Posted by: e7t902 | 22 February 2005 at 01:07
I've been waiting forever to get a Gmail account; for anyone who's drowning in excess, please! Send a Gmail invitation my way! You'll make my day!
Gracias! Aviva
Posted by: Aviva | 22 February 2005 at 05:46
Hi everyone, your requests are in, invitations will come to you as soon as I can get a minute to do them all. I'm going to need an assistanrt soon to help me out with this stuff... ;)
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 22 February 2005 at 12:32
i neeed more gmail invitations can u give
Posted by: mohamed rafiudeen | 23 February 2005 at 06:28
Neville, if you still have any invitations I'd like one. SHould I then be given invitations once I have an account, I'll give them to you so you can distribute them if you like.
Thanks,
Angela
Posted by: Angela | 23 February 2005 at 07:25
Ok, everyone, all invitations on their way.
Some people are asking for more than one. That's ok, but I need to have individual email addresses. That's the way Google's invitation system works - one invite goes to one specific email address.
Posted by: Neville Hobson | 23 February 2005 at 18:24
hey, can someone send me an invitation plzzz? lexu_2003@yahoo.com send it here...10x a lot
Posted by: Lexu | 23 February 2005 at 22:15
Hi
Could someone invite me to Gmail, please.
Thanks
Posted by: Man | 24 February 2005 at 15:30
Hi. Would you have a G mail invitation?
Thanks so much if you do.
John
Posted by: John Butler | 24 February 2005 at 21:22