Gmail's interface was revolutionary when it was first released, but the design was a bit too plain for a lot of users. After a short while, users started to develop Greasemonkey scripts and Firefox plugins that could bring some more excitement to the standard Gmail theme. Today, however, Google itself announced that will be rolling out over 30 different themes for Gmail in the next couple of days.
A few lucky Gmail users are already seeing a 'Themes' tab appear in their settings menu, though as is typical for Google, it might take a day or two before this new feature has been rolled out to all users.
Looking at the array of themes, some are clearly more playful than others (think ASCII logos and ninjas), though all of them keep the standard Gmail interface. Interestingly, most of these themes also feature modified Gmail logos, similar to the modified Google logos that often appear on the Google homepage on holidays.
Google also announced a 'minor facelift' for the default Gmail interface to make it look 'crisper and cleaner.'
Similar to the themes for iGoogle, some of these new themes also change according to the local weather and time of day, which is a neat effect, though obviously not very useful.
Overall, this is not a dramatic update to Gmail, but a lot of users have been waiting for this feature, and judging from the early reactions to the announcement we have seen so far, these new themes are going to be a quite popular.
Comments
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Wow, its about time. Now if only http://www.picmember.com could add themes to my PicInbox. Life would be colorfully enriching.
Posted by: Brian | November 19, 2008 1:53 PM
I'm one of the lucky lads with access to themes. Very cool. Ninjas!
Posted by: Ef Rodriguez | November 19, 2008 3:14 PM
I just got the themes myself. They are nice, but I LOVE the cleaner UI.
Posted by: Google Tutor | November 19, 2008 3:33 PM
I'm a fan of the new look, and actually think these look much better than the iGoogle themes. Can't wait to give them a try.
Posted by: Cory O'Brien | November 19, 2008 4:46 PM
I just tried out the themes and they're pretty cool. Its a little hard on the eyes though. Or maybe its just me.
My fav one is the Ninja one. Graffiti would be my second fav.
Posted by: th13rteen | November 19, 2008 5:11 PM
Since themes tab was active in my account, chat has been acting funny....
Posted by: universal001 | November 19, 2008 5:25 PM
gmail themes is realy cool!
watch how this work at here:
http://tubedirects.net/index.php?q=mike-mussina-interview
great video sample!
Posted by: xander | November 19, 2008 5:29 PM
Great but I did not see this in my gmail yet
Posted by: Tinh | November 19, 2008 5:53 PM
Themes not also appearing in my Gmail ,It may take time to roll this feature all Gmail users
Posted by: venkat | November 19, 2008 8:57 PM
Wow, I'm a big fan of some of those uber-clean interfaces. Shiny is brilliant.
Posted by: Antony | November 19, 2008 9:01 PM
As from this morning I also have themes ;)
Posted by: Joy-Mari Cloete
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November 19, 2008 11:06 PM
Hi
Thanks for giving opportunity for changing the theme.
But here i thing that i am facing not in a position to get a new theme.
My Details are
Emai id: kumarkamal314@gmail.com
Posted by: Kamal Kumar | November 20, 2008 2:33 AM
i don't see my gmail themes in my setting.. why?
sad.. reply me .. plz
Posted by: sandy | November 20, 2008 5:29 AM
Check out the terminal theme... so geeky :-)
Posted by: Ammar | November 20, 2008 5:36 AM
The new default theme is much worse for usability. Contrast on the listings is measurably worse (28%).
http://www.newmediacampaigns.com/page/gmails-new-default-theme-is-a-step-backwards-for-usability
Posted by: Joel Sutherland | November 20, 2008 10:05 AM
I guess I'm not one of the lucky ones, as I still have the plain old theme.
Why won't they allow me to just personalise and brand my gmail account though?
Posted by: Cape Town's Favourite Son | November 20, 2008 1:11 PM
Just noticed the new theme option on my Gmail account and I'm liking it so far. It's a much needed face lift to the Gmail Interference. Gmail just keeps getting better and better. :)
Posted by: Edwin | November 20, 2008 1:39 PM
I've just been playing around with it, and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed. Only problem so far is that the text in RWW's newsletter doesn't change from black when using a dark theme, unlike all the other emails I get. This is a royal pain in the bum, as I quite enjoy the Terminal theme.
If you could fix this it would be most awesome!
Posted by: Merlin Blackmore | November 20, 2008 3:22 PM
I got my igoogle theme. I got my gmail theme. I want a google reader theme!!!!!
Posted by: kitten | November 20, 2008 5:34 PM
Google rolled out “Themes” for Gmail today, causing everyone to scramble to see if they had access.
http://www.iwebie.com/gmail-themes
Posted by: iwebie | November 20, 2008 5:39 PM
My issue is that, Gmail is still not fully stable / functional on slow connections (think dialup & GPRS). I would prefer a widget, which checks my connection and adjusts itself (text version etc) accordingly, so I can send / receive emails without hangups.
Posted by: Kamran | November 20, 2008 10:14 PM
Am I one of the few who really *doesn't like* the new themes? Personally I like my Gmail clean and tidy.
There's still a link up for "older version" of the UI, but there's no cookie on it so for a while I had to keep clicking the same link. Very annoying!
But then, okay, I did try out some of the themes - definitely found them all a little too hard on the eyes. I like my white space.
Then I finally realised that the "classic" theme gives you what we've always had. Done deal.
I'm glad other people enjoy them but for others... its just messing with something that's already good. And forcing them on users... not so cool, Google!
Posted by: Svasti | November 22, 2008 2:11 PM
i haven't gotten the gmail themes yet... ):
i've been waiting for a while already. my sister has it but its on another computer....
do would it have to do with my computer???
but anyways...im hoping i can get it soon
Posted by: emiaj | November 22, 2008 5:46 PM
you could fix this it would be most awesome!
Posted by: services | November 24, 2008 4:03 AM
Look at Gmail Dynamic Themes Preview page - http://tutanhamon.com.ua/technovodstvo/gmail_themes/ that contains all possible (I hope) decoration styles for dynamic themes and weather conditions description as a bonus.
Posted by: tutanhamon.com.ua
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November 28, 2008 10:47 AM