Gmail to Get Third Party Add-ons

If you are among the masses who left behind desktop software like Outlook for Gmail years ago, there is a new feature coming this year that could be something you have wanted for years. The new feature is support for third-party add-ons. Before the unwashed masses get their hands on the new add-on feature, Google is previewing it for developers soon.

This developer preview gives the devs a chance to build third-party add-ons and get them ready for the official launch of the service. Google is said to have worked with different businesses to test the add-on support within Gmail already.

One of the companies that Google has worked with is Intuit, the company that makes Quickbooks. The add-on Intuit has is designed to make it easy for Gmail users to create invoices from within the mail application without ever needing to leave Gmail to launch stand alone software. Google has also worked with Salesforce and PropserWorks.

Devs who are testing the add-on service will have access to those three add-ons. Devs should like the new system and it sounds like Google has tried to make development of add-ons as easy as possible. One add-on will work on multiple platforms including the web, Android, and iOS. One thing that remains unknown at this point is when third-party add-ons will go live for users. All Google has said so far is “later this year.” Early access invitations for developers who sign up to test the service will go out soon.