10 Gmail gadgets to try

There is a powerful but little known Gmail feature that lives in Labs called "Add any gadget by URL". This feature has to be turned on before using it. The experimental feature allows you to add iGoogle gadgets (or any gadget specified by an .xml file) to the side of your Gmail account. While most of these gadgets are built by third-parties and not owned or maintained by Google, they can be super handy.

Assuming the "Add any gadget by URL" feature is turned on, go to the new "Gadgets" tab under "Settings" and add the relevant .xml address for installation of gadgets.

Googmle Gmail suggested 10 gadgets worth trying.

1. Wikipedia

Look for a specific query right from Gmail.
http://www.google.com/ig/modules/wikipedia.xml

2. Google Calculator

Make some quick calculations while typing an email.
http://calebegg.com/calc.xml

3. Note

Add a sticky note to the corner of your Gmail account.
http://www.google.com/ig/modules/sticky.xml

4. Remember the Milk

If you’re a fan of this task management system, accessing all your “Remember the milk” notes from right within Gmail can be super handy.
http://www.rememberthemilk.com/services/modules/gmail/rtm.xml

5. PolyClock

Gives you the time of day for any place in the world.
http://gad.getpla.net/poly/clock.xml

6. Currency Converter

A real time currency converter.
http://helloworld123---.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/currency-converter.xml

7. bit.ly URL shortener

Lets you shorten URLs in a single click.
http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/107368512201818821991/bitly-shortener.xml

8. Chuck Norris fact generator

Displays a different “Chuck Norris fact” every day of the year.
http://marsupialmusic.net/stu/scripts/chucknorris.xml

9. Google Calendar

Displays your Google Calendar agenda right from Gmail.
http://www.google.com/ig/modules/calendar.xml

10. Google Docs

Gives you quick access to your most recent documents.
http://www.google.com/ig/modules/docs.xml

10 Gmail gadgets to try [via]