#trusted testers

Google Apps users got a step closer to full Google-personhood this week, as the company sent invitations to select users to test out a version of Google Apps that includes all the features regular Google users get, including AdWords and Google Voice.

Amplify’d from www.wired.com

Google Apps lets businesses and anyone who owns a domain to have Google power their e-mail system, and give their employees shared online productivity services. It’s free for up to fifty employees with no support, or $50 a person for support and uptime promises. The idea is to cut into Microsoft’s domination of business software by underpricing its business software, and drive more traffic to Google properties.

Despite the fact that many pay Google for service, Apps users have been at the back of the line when it comes to getting new features, and some Google services, such as the photo hosting service Picasa, aren’t included.

Most recently, Apps users were left out of a new feature that lets Gmail and Voice users make and receive calls right from the Gmail interface, which Apps users immediately began clamoring for. However, Priority Inbox, another new feature, is being rolled out to Gmail and Apps users alike this week.

In May, Google said it’s working to upgrade its infrastructure for Apps users, and it’s now asking some Apps users — known as Trusted Testers — to help test out the infrastructure, according to an e-mail seen by Wired.com.

Potential testers are being asked to fill out a form to apply, which will let them “test this functionality with a subset of your Google Apps users.”

The full-roll out is expected for later this year and will include adding Blogger, Reader, AdWords and Picasa, among others to Google Apps accounts.

Read more at www.wired.com