Gmail is getting a free update that will make it easier for you to keep track of the deliveries you make this holiday season and into the future.
We’ve been there before: you can pick a few this year Best Black Friday Deals Then you realize that you need to keep track of everything. Some are gifts that you need to intercept in case someone you live with gets a sneak peek at what’s coming their way, and others are items you need to make sure they arrive on a certain date. To see all you normally need to search through a pile of emails and use tracking codes for a variety of shipping companies – it’s boring if nothing else.
Google is looking to streamline the whole process this year with a new Gmail update that will allow you to track deliveries in the app. The new package tracking feature is available across most major US shipping companies and will give you a quick look at the delivery status of your package.
To stand out from our ever-growing collection of emails, a delivery notification will be given a new tag that gives you the latest update like “Your item is on its way” or a more specific message like “Arrived Wednesday, December 21.” If you open the email, you get a more in-depth look at the status of delivery of your package; You will be able to know when the order was placed, when it was shipped, and when it is expected to arrive.
In the Blog Posts (Opens in a new tab) Google announced the update, and said that the feature will be improved further in the coming months. The following planned optimization will allow Gmail to show that your package is delayed and will automatically push email to the top of your inbox so you don’t miss it.
If you want to take advantage of this new delivery tracking feature when it becomes available, you will need to sign up by going to your Gmail settings. It’s not currently live but when it is, you should also see an option to subscribe in your inbox (although you can also decline the message if you don’t want to use the feature).
Another Google Assistant for holidays: Maps
Gmail isn’t the only Google service that can help you with your vacation preparations. The search engine giant has some other tools that can help you with the Maps application.
Google Maps is Full of useful hidden features, including some that are hidden in plain sight like the popular times gadget. When you click on a local business, you can see a lot of information about it including the general trend of when it is busiest and when it is at its calmest. If you want to shop in person for Christmas without the rush of people around you, this feature can help you with planning.
If you use the Maps app on one Best Android Phones, a similar feature can also help you decide when you want to set off on your holiday trips. The app can show you the general direction of travel times along your planned trip and can include real-time warnings about current traffic and incidents that may cause delays. Using this feature allows you to either fire up later when the situation has improved, or warn the people you meet that you will be late.