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