Internet search giant Google Inc yesterday encouraged local users to apply for Gmail accounts, after the free e-mail service opened to people around the world on Feb. 14.
Launched on April 1, 2004, Gmail accounts used to be available only by invitation.
"Since the sign-up opening [for Gmail accounts], our number of users has surged significantly... even if it jumps 20 or 30 times, we are ready," Chien Lee-feng (
Gmail's users in Taiwan have increased by double-digits and are one of its fastest-growing markets in the world, Chien said, without providing figures.
Gmail offers 2.8 gigabytes of storage -- enough for nearly 1.4 million pages -- for each user, the largest capacity among all free e-mail services. It means users would not need to delete any mail, including spam, for the next 10 or 20 years, Chien said.
Inheriting Google's strong search function, users can easily locate e-mail they are looking for by through a search engine, or categorize group of e-mails by creating labels, Chien said.
Installed with screening and security software, Gmail users receive the least amount of spam compared to other e-mail service providers, Chien said.
Besides e-mail, Gmail is embedded with an instant messaging tool which offers users access to Internet chat and the content of the conversations will be automatically saved into e-mail files for records.
Described by Chien as an "online information manager," Gmail also allows users to manage their daily meetings using a calendar function and edit their documents on site to share with other people.
Gmail can also be accessed via mobile devices.
In Taiwan, Gmail has teamed up with with Chunghwa Telecom Co (