Gmail goes live
I've just received an email from Google about Gmail. Now I already have a GMail account so I guess this is a standard mailing to everyone who has ever expressed an interest and infers that GMail has come out of Beta. Follow the title link for the full post
Hi there,Thanks for signing up to be updated on the latest Gmail happenings. We hope it's been worth the wait, because we're excited to finally offer you an invitation to open a free Gmail account! Just click on this link to create your new account:
http://gmail.google.com/gmail/ Link changed by JasonD
Since last April, we've been working hard to create the best email service possible. It already comes with 1,000 megabytes of free storage, powerful Google search technology to find any message you want instantly, and a new way of organizing email that saves you time and helps you make sense of all the information in your inbox.
And here are just some of the things that we've added in the last few months:
- Free POP access: Take your messages with you. Download them, read them offline, access them using Outlook, your Blackberry or any other device that supports POP
- Gmail Notifier: Get new mail notifications and see the messages and their senders without having to open a browser
- Better contacts management: Import your contacts from Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, Outlook, and others to Gmail in just a few clicks. Add phone numbers, notes and more. Even use search to keep better track of it all.
We also wanted to thank you. For showing us your support and for being so patient. And to those who have already signed up for Gmail, thank you for giving it a try and for helping us make it better. Our users are what have made this product great. So whether you're just signing up for your account or you've been with us since the beginning, keep letting us know how we can build you the best email service around.
That's it for now. We hope you like Gmail and will share it with your friends. We've got lots of cool new stuff planned and we can't wait for you to see our work in your Gmail accounts! Stay tuned...
Thanks,
The Gmail Team
Congratulations Google


Really?
I don't see anywhere where you can sign up. The beta tag is still on the site. They probally just "Invited" you.
Just inviting on request
The are just sending invites for those who requested on the Gmail site. It's still a limited beta, my guess it wont be limited for long but as with all Google services it's going to be in BETA for a long yet IMO.
Expressed an interest
I expressed an interest and just got an invite. Mail name must be 6 letters or more though :( .
Beta
In the google investor web cast, a question was asked about google's endless betas. The answer was basically a) it's part of the branding of google ( think geek ) b) they like to under promise and over deliver, and applying the beta tag is an easy way of doing this.
I hope thats a medium-term thing. If and when the general public comes to understand what betas are en masse, Google being synonymous with "testing, probably doesn't work, unfinished" and whatever else is probably not the best way to go.
I imagine they've considered the connotations of this, though.
"Google was reluctant to talk"
BBC report says
Me too
I got one as well and already have an account. I'm not complaining.
Anybody really want some?
I have six invites sitting there - just pm me.
a few hundred thousand invite
a few hundred thousand invites...
http://isnoop.net/gmail/