Skip to main content

Gmail on the web can now stream video attachements, downloads no longer needed

After finally adding the ability to send and receive money on Android, Gmail on the web is getting a minor, but very useful feature. In the past, video attachments had to be downloaded locally in order to view them. Now, videos can be streamed right from Gmail.

With this update, video attachments in emails will include a thumbnail from the clip. Tapping the play button will let users stream it right from the web without first needing to download it. Additionally, it gets rid of the need to use a native app to play files.

Google notes that the feature uses the same infrastructure that powers YouTube, Google Drive, and other video streaming apps. As such, the video player that pops up as an overlay is near identical to YouTube with controls to adjust speed available. Video is delivered at optimal quality and availability.

This feature will gradually rollout over the next 15 days to all Gmail users.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com