In this release, Xobni has also included additional user controls which will allow users to better customize Xobni's behavior. This feature is designed to help people with "underpowered" computers to take advantage of the plugin. (Can we say netbooks?) The controls let you customize the indexing times and configure a delayed load when Outlook starts, among other things. Although we never did formal tests on the Xobni plugin ourselves besides just using it on our own machines (where it performed just fine), we heard of some anecdotal evidence where people had claimed it slowed Outlook down. For those who reported the slowness issues, these performance enhancements and configuration tools will likely be a great benefit.

As for the funding, the company says the money will be used for continuing development of the product and will help them proceed with work on a premium version of the software, slated for release this summer. The investment from BlackBerry Partners Fund brings the total raised in Xobni's Series B funding to over $10 million and adds BlackBerry Partners Fund Partner, Rick Segal, to Xobni's board of directors. Xobni closed the first part of the Series B in January 2009, led by Cisco Systems ($5 million).

You can download the new version of Xobni here.

To integrate Facebook into Gmail, Xoopit's new plugin uses a Facebook Connect button that logs you into your Facebook account. Once activated, you can set your Facebook status at any time by clicking the "F" icon at the upper right corner of your Gmail where there's now a Facebook status update box that displays your profile picture and your current status.

However, the best part of this plugin is that when you email with people who are also on Facebook, those messages will now also include their Facebook profile photos and status messages.These appear in Gmail's right-hand sidebar. Underneath each person's name is a link to "Recent Mail" and "More Info."Clicking on "Recent Mail" takes you out of the message you're in to a Gmail search for that person's email address (or addresses). The "More Info" button, though, just expands the box in the sidebar to display the latest attachments sent to you by that person.

These interactions aren't just fun - they're useful. Finding past messages or attachments sent is a common email task, so having these quick links available is a great feature.

As before, Xoopit's plugin also still installs a toolbar which is added to the top of your Gmail inbox and a sidebar widget. With either tool, you can find photos, videos, or files in your inbox. The sidebar widget also has a link that launches various games, perfect for when you can't read any more email but you just can't leave the inbox, either.

Although in the past we've shared our concerns over any plugin that needs your Gmail credentials to operate, the functionality provided by Xoopit may sway you to put your security fears aside and give it a try.

Note: Xoopit is a Firefox plugin.