Gmail Brings Package-Tracking Directly To Inboxes Just In Time For The Holidays

It’s almost time for the festivities, and that means mass online shopping for everyone’s presents is about to begin. However, between online gift buying and the rush of Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations, it’s easy to lose track of our packages. And no one wants to realize at the last minute that a parcel has yet to arrive.
 
Google is removing that anxiety of constantly wondering where your package is by issuing updates through prompts in your Gmail inbox, allowing shoppers to keep on top of their Christmas shopping this season.
 
Using your item’s tracking code, Gmail will surface glanceable information directly in the subject line for easy viewing. This will include a green icon, and the information presented will show arrival dates and statuses such as ‘Arriving tomorrow’ and ‘Delivered today’.
 
Within the email itself, you will get a summary of the product and the delivery information. A timeline will also appear where you can click on an option to ‘Track package’ or see ‘Order details’.

In the unfortunate event that a package is delayed, an alert detailing its status will be brought to your inbox so you won’t miss the prompt.
 
Upon its launch, you will find a banner asking you to ‘Track your packages in Gmail’ that will appear in the app, which you can click to enable. And whenever you want to stop receiving updates, you can opt-out of them.

Google states that this function will be coming to all major shipping carriers in the US and will be ready in the next few weeks for Android and iOS users. In addition, a web-based version of the new system will roll out in the coming months.
 
 
 
[via 9t05Google and Google, images via Google]