Now with the new Gmail Google Desktop Gadget, you can access to your Gmail on your desktop without running a full-blown email client. You’ll need the free Google Desktop software installed first.

You’ll see that the Gmail Gadget covers the basics such as reading, searching, and sending messages. You can star messages, use the same keyboard shortcuts, and we didn’t forget about contact auto-complete. It doesn’t take up much space in your sidebar or desktop, and you can also resize it to show as few or as many messages as you’d like.

The Gmail gadget is a free download and works in conjunction with Google Desktop 5 for Windows only.

Download Gmail Google Gadget. [via]