Google Launches Java-Powered Gmail for Mobile Devices
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Google is announcing today a new Java Gmail client for mobile devices. Gmail for Mobile Devices is a free application and will work on any J2ME phones in the U.S. Users can download the app by using their phone's browser to navigate to gmail.com/app.According to Google, the new app will work on about 300 different phones in the U.S. market. There are no ads. Attachments open as normal, provided you have the appropriate software. Gmail for Mobile Devices is free, but you'll have to pay your carrier for the data transfer. My favorite feature: Gmail for Mobile Devices preloads the first ten message in your inbox when you start the app. There's no data transfer lag when you click on those messages. Google also offers an XHTML version of Gmail for mobile browsers, but man, that's a lot slower to use. I only wonder why it took Google so long to launch this particular app. It seems like such a no-brainer. |
Comments (14)
Verizon??? I've been waiting for this to happen before I get a new plan as everything right now is forwarded to my Gmail account. Cool if this will work with Verizon :)
Posted by David | November 2, 2006 1:52 PM
As I understand it, the app works with any java-enabled phone, no matter the carrier.
Posted by Steve Bryant | November 2, 2006 2:08 PM
Steve. You have posted that you have a Treo, yet you stated, "haven't been able to check my e-mail on my laptop during sessions." You have a Treo. Why have you not set that device to retrieve your email automatially? I have been in wireless data solutions since before BB started. With BB or Goodlink, if you have the enterprise version, you get email and all your PIM real-time. It is all push. I have not yet tried Gmail for Mobile Devices yet, though I would assume (hope) they would try to sync all thie PIM from GMail. I will be checking out this offering soon.
Posted by Bret | November 2, 2006 2:44 PM
Past tense, Bret. I "owned" a Treo.
Posted by Steve Bryant | November 2, 2006 3:46 PM
I have downloaded GMail and its associated links. The Gmail mogile is just like the browser mode. The download is just giving you quicklinks/icons to the 4 google offering, Map, GMail, News, and the search engine. They all open up your native mobile browser and navigate to the appropriate application. They have done a pretty good job at doing web mail on a mobile device. They knew what model device I was using (not to hard to find out). Though they did not modify the web page to take advangae of the screen size difference. I did a rely to an email and the box for my reply was sized as if I was on a smaller screen. Navigation was just like a browser model with links at the bottom to reply, delete, etc. Google Maps has gotten upgraded and looks to be better than a few months ago. More detail. Getting traffic is still hit or miss. Google news is not bad. There is way to many links on the pages, especially if you have a smaller screen. Though the format looks good, and the pics included work well. Not bad for a retail use product. Though this is no enterprise level solution like Blackberry or Goodlink. Happy surfing.
Posted by Bret | November 2, 2006 3:46 PM
Doesn't work on my k750, says certificate error. Oh well, I guess I'll continue to use MovaMail which is better anyhow since it also does my IMAP account: http://www.getjar.com/products/6977/MovaMailV2
Posted by mobgeek | November 2, 2006 6:00 PM
.... and I wonder why the java based program doesn't work on my Sprint PPC6700.
Posted by Valky | November 2, 2006 10:39 PM
Too bad it doesn't work on my Samsung SGH-Z540. java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: invalid port format. Really odd that something like this can happen. Perhaps they got different versions for many mobile phones? Just my luck I guess :) Anyone know where I can report that problem?
Posted by Tomi Po | November 3, 2006 5:35 AM
I guess I should have posted what device I used. It is a RIM 7290.
Posted by Bret | November 3, 2006 11:04 AM
tried to download on the Moto Q it failed to load with an error that it couldn't run or be recognized. browser also showed it still opening. I also noticed the disclaimer that this might now work. I suspect that it was developed on the pre-aku 2.x devices. It launched with Sprint??? shouldn't matter unless there is some backend connectivity specific to a carrier. I read the comments and having not used it I am not sure what value it brings. I will say having used pocket msn live and yahoo go it should be interesting .... I am curious to see how google deals with the calendar integration with cisco meeting maker? i am also curious to know how it works with Direct Push, Good, or Wireless Sync to a behind the firewall server? it has to be able to run both seamlessly without duplicating or removing PIM information.
Posted by Gido de NorCal | November 3, 2006 5:16 PM
In fact, if Google ever got around to releasing a single app that combined Gmail, Gtalk and GCal, they might have an instant winner on their hands. Just, which despite limited device support, remains one of our favorite mobile apps. Actually not google but another application named Morange has put all these together, push mail, IM, calendar, virtual disk , Push RSs etc, etc, It ranked high in GetJar and so far the users love it
Posted by Michael | November 4, 2006 2:37 AM
In the near future, mobile phones should be free if the user accepts targeted advertising, Google CEO...
Posted by Google Watch | November 13, 2006 9:48 AM
In the near future, mobile phones should be free if the user accepts targeted advertising, Google CEO...
Posted by Google Watch | November 13, 2006 11:04 AM
In the near future, mobile phones should be free if the user accepts targeted advertising, Google CEO...
Posted by Google Watch | November 13, 2006 8:22 PM