Google says it aims Gmail at the technological elite, knowing that the information overload problems they have today will be the problems mainstream users have tomorrow. But apparently the company isn't above appealing to those who are willing to judge a book by its cover as well as its content.
On Wednesday, Google launched themes for Gmail, a feature that lets people customize the appearance of the Webmail application with a variety of new looks. Google is gradually rolling out the new feature to Gmail members "over the next couple of days," said Gmail team member Annie Chen.
It's something of a departure for a site that prides itself on its utilitarian nature--even the addition of graphical smileys to Gmail can be justified as improving a message's emotional nuance. But given Google's move toward the mainstream, it's smart. People like to personalize their frequently-used computing tools.
Perhaps more interesting from a brand perspective, Google is even willing to give up the Gmail logo in some of the skins. That suits me fine--I find the logo an eye-trippingly ugly hodgepodge of the Google G, a graphical envelope for the "m", and three sans-serif letters for "ail."
Now showing: Gmail themes.
(Credit: Google)
This Wall-e-themed desktop looks at my system resources with flirtatious eyes.
(Credit: The Skins Factory)I used to be a huge fan of Windows desktop themes. Granted, this was over 10 years ago, when I knew little about computers and was ignorant of the amount of system resources themes consumed. I don't use them today, as I prefer to keep my system clean and optimized, but I still understand the appeal. Customizing your desktop with a new theme makes for a new experience.
The Skins Factory is trying to give its users a new experience when installing desktop themes. It has announced that its Windows desktop-theme software, Hyperdesk, is now DRM-free. According to the company, Hyperdesk had been using third-party software to handle its license key activations. Now however, all Hyperdesk themes sold on its site will no longer require a key.
This means a few things for Hyperdesk users. First, they will be able to install Hyperdesk on their personal systems an unlimited number of times. Second, no longer is an Internet connection required to install Hyperdesk. Third, according to The Skins Factory, "refunds will be more strict due to the lack of ability to deactivate license keys." And finally fourth, the price of all Hyperdesk themes have been increased from $9.95 to $14.95.
Jeff Schader, CEO of the company, states, "I absolutely understand the train of thought that many software publishers have about protecting their investment and products. On the other hand, as a consumer, I personally feel that DRM normally just ends up punishing honest users, while those who would steal the software have far less restrictions than legitimate end-users."
I agree. So, that begs the question: then why are you punishing consumers by raising your prices? Just seems weird to me that the company would talk about looking out for its customers and then turn around and hit them with a 50 percent price increase.
I have no idea what these new costs cover, but talk about having the other shoe dropping with an immediate and hard crash.
Thumb open an ordinary flip or slide phone and nothing happens, except maybe the triggering of a robotic greeting (Hello to you, too, Moto.) Do it again with a phone enriched with Emdigo's 3D offering and football players might rush by.
The carrier-partnered content distributor isn't one I'd normally cover, but the offering is an example of compelling 3D software coming our way. Similar third-party, carrier-agnostic downloads are sure to follow.
NFL Team Tailgate and Hello Kitty are two such examples of these enhanced animated skins that users can purchase through Verizon and Alltel. Flipping or sliding the phone activates the characters, and clicking the OK or center button animates them further. In one mode, Hello Kitty can shred the half pipe on her cute kitty-sized skateboard. For other apps like the Spider-Man skin, dialing a number pops open a skinned window with the Marvel character protectively overseeing your progress in the background.
Candy bar and brick phone users are out of luck. Animations become motionless wallpaper, which hardly justifies the download price--about $3 during my demo.
Check back to this space and CNET TV for a video demonstration with a certain webbed superhero.
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