Google Introducing “Priority Inbox”

Let’s face it, even in a world where spam is a daily occurrence, we still receive a load of email that isn’t spam, but might as well be. For example, thanks a bunch Facebook for introducing a messaging system that functions half as well as email AND sends email notifications to alert me to new messages. Google wants to help, and as usual they’re doing it for no other reward than for the joy it will bring their users. The new feature, dubbed “priority inbox” aims to separate our important communications from the stuff that isn’t spam, but might as well be. When an email reaches your inbox, Gmail decides if its an important email based on which emails you open most frequently and most quickly and the people you reply to. This feature seems genuinely useful, although I assume most people will approach with caution, not wanting to hand over immediate and full control of which messages they read first to anyone else, let alone a script with a little AI. The new feature rolls out to all (hopefully even Google Apps users) in the next week.