Google is shipping an update to Gmail that should make it easier to locate that email that you just searched for the other day.

Starting today, Google begins the global rollout of new autocomplete predictions for your past Gmail searches.

“If you’ve searched your email for ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ or other lengthy phrases, it just got easier to find what you’re looking for. Autocomplete predictions in Gmail may now include your past Gmail searches,” says Google.

Also rolling out – contact thumbnails in Gmail search:

Google says that the global rollout of both of these features will take a few days and it even includes Google Apps for Business customers.

We think that these updates will probably go over a little better than the last update to hit Gmail. Last week, Google began pushing the new compose box to all users and there was a audible groan from a good portion of the Gmail-usiing population.