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Google add ons is a poor excuse for extending Gmails functionality. I tried to create a basic app a few months ago and it is extremely limited and feels very m
by CommanderData 8y ago
Google add ons is a poor excuse for extending Gmails functionality.
I tried to create a basic app a few months ago and it is extremely limited and feels very much beta.
An example: extending compose functionality in any way is impossible.
Add ons are limited to when the user opens an email, that's pretty much it. Try for yourself and see.
- OmarIsmail 8y agoI built Streak's Gmail add-on (launch partner, and #1 add-on in the marketplace) so trust me when I say that I'm very aware of the platform's shortcomings :) If you want to do something fancy then I highly recommend using the InboxSDK (inboxsdk.com). But for basic functionality the add-ons are pretty sweet. Native mobile integration is huge, alongside massive a great distribution channel. Not sure if you've noticed in the new Gmail but they put a + button below the list of Calendar/Keep/Tasks icons that brings up the Add-On installation modal. That's pretty major.
- CommanderData 8y agoI completely agree, with mobile adoption, addons reach will be incredible and I want it to happen just like any other dev. I will eventually monetize the app I build but won't go down the path of using Google's own addon platform. It will likely be InboxSDK as you point out. The sad thing here is with InboxSDK being limited to Desktop but brilliantly feature rich, my adoption will be curved by desktop use only. I imagine businesses will be much more inclined to use Google's addon market place because the ease of deployment to users, rather than a Chrome extension etc. How have your Enterprise users deployed your app to users? I haven't noticed the + yet, I'll look out for this next time. Thanks for your suggestions.