DailyTech - Gmail Really Opens its Doors to All

Submit News

Blog: Internet Gmail Really Opens its Doors to All
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - February 7, 2007 11:50 AM

E-mail

del.icio.us

16 comment(s) - last by lumbergeek.. on Feb 8 at 2:40 PM

But the doors are somewhat jammed

Today, Google updated its Gmail service to allow signups from anyone in the world -- no invitation required and no mobile phone required. Previously, new users were required to sign-up using their mobile phones, or receive an invitation request from an existing Gmail user. Without much fanfare or as much as a press release, a small portion of the Gmail FAQ has been updated to reflect the change.

According to the Gmail help center:

Can I sign up without the invitation code? Or without a mobile phone?
Anyone in the world is now welcome to create a Gmail account at http://mail.google.com/mail/signup. Enjoy!

Despite opening its doors fully, Gmail is still a service in technically beta, and the service has been this way for several years now. Google has added new features such as Google Talk and other features to the service all while steadily increasing storage capacity for its users. When Google first launched, it offered an unprecedented 1GB of storage capacity. Now, Gmail's storage counter is approaching nearly 3GB of usable space.

As of right now, several users are reporting that the sign-up link provided by Google does not work in some countries. Some have reported that while it did not work for them initially, it now worked. Those in Canada, Germany, India and the U.K. may find difficulty in getting to the sign-up page. There's currently no indication from the Google or Gmail staff that this is being worked on.

Updated 02/07/07: It appears that Google just changed its Gmail Help page, indicating once again that users who wish to sign up to Gmail will require a mobile phone.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

By Scabies on 2/7/2007 12:22:30 PM , Rating: 5

mod me down, but I just want to bring a typo to the attention of the editor.

quote:
Previously, new users were required to sign-up using their mobile phones, or receive an invitation request from an existnig Gmail user.

existing.
I know I'm gonna get flamed, there needs to be a "submit revelant information/correction" button on dailytech articles.

now, commenting on the news:
This saddens me, as a number of sites prohibit registration from SPAM email accounts, i.e. yahoo, hotmail, and other free and easy registration providers.

RE: <no subject>

By KeithTalent on 2/7/2007 12:31:33 PM , Rating: 2

Exactly what I was thinking; how long until Anandtech outlaws Gmail as a valid e-mail address? :(

Parent

RE: <no subject>

By FITCamaro on 2/7/2007 12:36:43 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah I was mad when I couldn't use my gmail address as the email address for one of my monthly payments. Gmail is the best free email out there. Why would anyone sign up a spam email account to send info for a bill. I don't have another email account. That I use at least.

Parent

RE: <no subject>

By Lonyo on 2/7/07, Rating: -1

RE: <no subject>

By Houdani on 2/7/2007 12:57:42 PM , Rating: 2

I always thought that gmail's strongest benefit was their signup procedure. Now that they are letting any random user in, I expect it to go the way of Hotmail (99.99973% spam).

Parent

RE: <no subject>

By Spivonious on 2/7/2007 1:41:28 PM , Rating: 2

I've used Hotmail for over 5 years now and I still don't get a whole lot of spam. The spam that I do get is autmatically filtered into the Junk Mail folder. Anything that is missed I simply add that address/domain to the junk sender list.

The key to not getting spam is to not hand out your email address on every page you go to.

Parent

RE: <no subject>

By gramboh on 2/8/2007 12:45:58 PM , Rating: 2

Hotmail's spam filtering seemed to drastically improve a few months ago overnight. I used to get a ton of spam to an email I use for forum signups, MSN etc, but now I get almost none.

Of course, Gmail is still superior in terms of spam filtering and most of all interface. Hotmail is so ugly and hasn't changed in years. HUGE graphic ads etc. Terrible interface.

Parent

RE: <no subject>

By lumbergeek on 2/8/2007 2:40:27 PM , Rating: 2

Hotmail is a dead animal by that name. Try MS's new Windows Live Mail. Still in Beat, but beats the crap out of Hotmail's interface for the same account.

Before the flames commence - I use both Gmail and WLMail. I use the WLMail more becasue I've had it longer and the exclusive spam filtering they put into Hotmail has worked perfectly for me for years now.

Parent

maybe google's servers are getting hammered...

By ForumMaster on 2/7/2007 12:19:45 PM , Rating: 2

i have used gmail almost since it started. these past few days i have been able to logon but not to send any emails. i'm not complaining as the service is in beta, but just assuming that they either have a technical problem or the servers are getting jammed?

RE: maybe google's servers are getting hammered...

By therealnickdanger on 2/7/2007 12:35:07 PM , Rating: 1

I've had it since the beginning as well, but only to act as a spam filter. I use it for signing up for stuff, basically as a big ol' spam basket. My Hotmail and work addresses are for everyone else. I don't really like G-Mail all that much...

Parent

RE: maybe google's servers are getting hammered...

By Houdani on 2/7/2007 12:55:19 PM , Rating: 2

I'm the exact opposite. Hotmail is my default spam box, whereas Google is my "selective" mail. But I do agree that I don't like the conversation layout all that much.

Parent

Ummm.... Maybe for a While But Not Anymore!

By glynor on 2/7/2007 1:38:13 PM , Rating: 2

Following the link to the Gmail Help Center provided in the Daily Tech article now says this (from the US):

quote:
You need to receive and enter a special invitation code in order to create an account. Currently, we are only sending these codes as text messages to mobile phones. So you will need to have a mobile phone with text message capabilities (most phones have this) and the invitation code itself.

Also, the signup page is the same as it has been, where you have to enter in a mobile phone number...

RE: Ummm.... Maybe for a While But Not Anymore!

By kekken on 2/7/2007 2:13:02 PM , Rating: 2

yes indeed, I also noticed that the Gmail Help Center page has just been updated..(updated 2/7/2007).

Or I can say Google has changed its mind again?

Parent

SPAMMMMMMM

By bldckstark on 2/7/2007 12:38:40 PM , Rating: 2

They initially used the invitation only method, and then the mobile phone method as ways to limit the amount of spammers that could use the addresses. Apparently I am ignorant of new technology that made this unneeded. I don't need more spam - my gmail account already logs about 50 pR0n spams a day. They do all go to the spam folder tho...

Gmail Invites are everywhere

By CoreGamer on 2/8/2007 12:43:51 PM , Rating: 2

Gmail Invites are everywhere, you can get one for free from websites like gmailinvites.com or bytetest.com . IMHO Gmail is the best free webmail out there. I don't think there are many free email providers that give out 3Gb (and counting) of free space.