
Gmail, the Google email service that has sat in Beta for over 3 years despite its heavy usage and development, opened its doors today to all comers. Previously, an invitation was required from a current Gmail user to get a new account (though with 50 invitations given out per user, they weren’t that hard to come by). Now, just head on over and sign up, no invitation required.

And while we’re on the topic of Google news, it seems that the spell checker over at the Google logo lab has broken, because their special Valentine’s Day logo reads more like Googe than Google. Some would argue that the stem is the L, but some people will argue anything.
Also, I just noticed that if you click on the Googe logo, it performs an instant search for the term “Valentine’s Day”. I’ve never noticed this feature before in any of the other custom logos, but it’s a neat little Easter Egg to check for in the future.
Edit: Apparently Google is well aware of the omission, responding on their blog with this:
When you look at the logo, you may worry that we forgot our name overnight, skipped a letter, or have decided that “Googe” has a better ring to it. None of the above. I just know that those with true romance and poetry in their soul will see the subtlety immediately. And if you’re feeling grouchy today, may I suggest eating a strawberry.
Very sneaky Google, very sneaky indeed.
[Google]
[Official Google Blog]