Gmail adds .mp3 playback

So you're out and about when someone sends you an .mp3 file. You log in to Gmail at your local coffee shop and see the attachment. Lo and behold, there's a "Play" link next to the "Download" link. Seems as though Google took some of the Google Video player capabilities and stripped it down for audio only. Sounds good until you hear the sound.

I've tested it with several voice files sent to me in .mp3 format and every one of them sounds like the Chipmunks hopped up on caffeine and helium. The messages are clearly not being played back at the right speed, but then again, this must be a beta since it's from Google, right? Needless to say, once it's finally working, the function could come in handy for...oh...I don't know.....voice memos you record on your handheld, perhaps? Ack, those get recorded as .wav files...bummer!

-kct

Comments

[JonGH]

This software from Resco will record in mp3.

http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=8096

[Daniel Feygin]

Would work fine to play back those GTalk voice mail messages, which are emailed as MP3 attachments. GMail is a communications tool after all, not your jukebox.

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Jon, thanks for the tip, I'll have to try it!
Daniel, the mp3 files I tested actually were voice mail messages. They weren't from GTalk, but were VMs from another application saved in a standard mp3 format; they should work just fine.