Google thinks its better for email users to stream video files than download them.
The search giant on Friday updated its Gmail service so that users can more easily view video attachments sent via email. Now, when Gmail users open video attachments, they can click on a thumbnail image of it to start streaming.
Prior to the update, users had to download the entire video file and then open a media player to access it. The new Gmail update makes it more convenient by letting people watch videos within Gmail and keeps them from clogging up their hard drives with potentially big video files.
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Unfortunately, only personal computer users will be able to preview video attachments. Google (GOOG) did not say when or if the Gmail update would be available to mobile users.
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Google says that the video streaming will be high quality because it relies on the same technology used by the company’s video services like YouTube. The search giant said it would take up to 15 days to roll out the update to all Gmail PC users.