Internet giant Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG) is strengthening its foothold in the Israeli market. The company is launching a Hebrew-language interface for its e-mail service, Gmail. Google Israel says many Israelis already use Gmail, and the new Hebrew-language interface will make it easier for them and Hebrew speakers worldwide to use Gmail in their mother tongue.
Two key features in the Hebrew version are direction keys, which facilitate the switch in writing from left-to-right and right-to-left and vice-versa; and an automatic coding and direction so that incoming e-mails will be presented in their original language. A modern browser should be used to achieve best use of the Hebrew version, such as Windows Explorer or Firefox with the standard Gmail display.
According to the latest TNS Teleseker Internet Monitor (TIM) survey from December 2005, e-mail is the second most frequently used service among Israeli surfers (84%), after search engines.
Gmail account holders can switch to the Hebrew interface by clicking on the service definitions. Gmail’s Hebrew interface will be launched gradually, and will be available to all Gmail account holders by the end of the week.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on May 31, 2006
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