by Robert van Alstyne
WHAT’S HAPPENING
- Don’t drink and drive is a no brainer, but Google’s Mail Goggles is putting a stop to those who drink and email. The Gmail application makes consumers think twice before sending a drunken missive.
- Sotty emailers eager to share e-prose must first solve five simple (if you’re sober) arithmetic problems in sixty seconds. Fail the test? Google cancels the email and serves up sorely needed advice: “Water and bed for you.”
- Goggles is auto-set to only work late on weekend nights, but daytime drinkers — or those who want a forced breather before hitting send — can schedule the program to run all the time.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
- By helping consumers curb impulsive actions with Mail Goggles, Gmail has further cemented its position as the e-mail program of choice for astute web surfers. Don’t be surprised if similar screening programs hit the text messaging scene in the near future.
RESOURCES
