Gmail launches themes

[icekin]

The news has been out for about 48 hours now. Gmail has finally added themes support. Themes can be accessed by going here. I've decided to go with terminal as it loads faster than any other theme. The retro feel is also nice.

Hopefully, there will soon be a way for users to contribute themes. Globex Designs has been adding themes support through the use of a Firefox Extension and Stylish, but the inbuilt themes support means that user's won't have to tweak around to get the desired look and feel.

Earlier this year, themes were launched for iGoogle. Hoping to see themes support for calendars, web search and reader soon.

[mahesh2k]

Themes will slow you down. Some themes are just color combo(you can use that without problem) but some actually fetch background images, so they'll slow you down. It's going to happen anyway, as we already seen their theme attempt with Orkut.

[zridling]

I love them. Certainly are easier on the eyes, and the text is clearer, too.

[Carol Haynes]

I must admit I usually like to keep things clean and simple but I rather like GMAIL themes. I currently have the mountains adorning my screen - can't say I have noticed it being slower.

[mahesh2k]

@Carol
I tried that Planetary theme, that was taking much time on my 512kbps connection. 
Also tried other themes, but i like the color-combo type themes,they're simply cool.

[ewemoa]

Certainly are easier on the eyes

[gexecuter]

I wonder how the "Planets" theme works. Gmail asked for my country and town so it must that info for something right?

[Carol Haynes]

I think it changes light depending on the time of day

[kartal]

That is just the world needed right now, this should solve the hunger and economic downturn for next 200 years.  Good move Google

[Deozaan]

I think it's okay to have the option but I didn't like that they decided to automatically change my theme for me. I think I switched it back to the Classic style.

I'm indifferent to the themes. I don't see myself using them, but I'm not opposed to the choice being there for other people.

Off-Topic

That is just the world needed right now, this should solve the hunger and economic downturn for next 200 years.  Good move Google

What are you doing to solve world hunger and economic downturn?

[Grorgy]

Google is making some effort in regard to solving some of the problems in the world,

Searching for solutions

Google.org aspires to use the power of information and technology to address the global challenges of our age: climate change, poverty and emerging disease. In collaboration with experienced partners working in each of these fields, we will invest our resources and tap the strengths of Google's employees and global operations to advance five major initiatives

http://www.google.org/index.html

[Lashiec]

It's nice to have more options without using external scripts, after all Hotmail and Yahoo! also have themes (the latter in a very limited way, though). The most complex ones look a bit flashy to me, but the just-different-colours ones are OK, so I'm giving them a whirl.

You've got to give props to Google for rolling them faster than usual, and worldwide as well. And by supporting them in all major browsers, about time GMail treated everyone as a first-class citizen :)

[Eóin]

Personally, I like the themes

[mahesh2k]

That is just the world needed right now, this should solve the hunger and economic downturn for next 200 years.  Good move Google

How?

[icekin]

That is just the world needed right now, this should solve the hunger and economic downturn for next 200 years.  Good move Google

How?

Here...

[mahesh2k]

Quote
That is just the world needed right now, this should solve the hunger and economic downturn for next 200 years.  Good move Google

How?

Here...

Oh, i thought Google really came up with some solution for that

[icekin]

Well, hunger is solvable, but not economic downturn because its a cycle that repeats, especially in free market economies like ours. Anyway, that's an off-topic subject which I should probably start on another thread.

[Paul Keith]

Hunger is solvable? So you mean there aren't tons of species not in risks of going extinct? 

Btw where do you live icekin? Would be cool to finally research on a country that actually has a true free market.

I personally don't know why this is getting praise. IGoogle had themes for ages. Everything from changing color of the day stuff to minimalist looks. It's just Google further integrating these features together. Google would help more hungry people if they finally implemented Google Gears to Google Notebook so people without the internet can browse the recipes they put in there.

[mahesh2k]

Well i have noticed that Gmail isn't forcing new themes for Internet Explorer 6, but with Chrome you will see the themes in action.