GMail, standalone, on any phone

Published by Steve Litchfield at 6:05 UTC, July 2nd 2007

Using GMail in a web browser has always been a bit clumsy. Ewan's taken a shine to Google's dedicated Java-based GMail client on his Nokia N95. OK, so Java's slow to load and clumsy, but Google's mini app is well designed and has some lovely touches. "Now hold on a second, I hear you all think, why are you reviewing the java midlet version of Google Mail when you’ve been praising the ‘low bandwidth’ web version (at http://mail.google.com/, which will pick up your phone as a mobile device and serve the page accordingly)? A couple of reasons, to be honest.

The first is that while the web version does the job, I’m not a great fan of the Nokia Browser, and navigating everything from a cursor/mouse interface does leave a little to be desired. I’m also not fond of it splitting up long emails over a number of pages."

Filed: Home > News > GMail, standalone, on any phone

Platforms: Series 60, UIQ, General, S60 3rd Edition, UIQ 3

Categories: Software, Editorial Thoughts

News Discussion

puterman

I agree, this is a very nice little app. It was the very annoying splitting of (not that long) emails that made me download this one in the first place.

luarvique

Would be good, if it weren't a Java application. Starting up Java on an S60 phone (E70 in my case) is akin launching a space shuttle. You do not know if it is going to run and not crash on startup. Furthermore, you never know if it is going to land into the safety of your standby screen or burn on reentry. =)

ratza

The most irritating thing is that you cannot add an attachment from phone, the same like in Yahoo Go.

glenneve

I have used this application extensively, and it is a fantastic application.

Although on Friday have just been sent an E65. When trying to install the gmail application i get an invalid jar file error and it doesnt install. I am looking for a workaround if anyone knows then please let me know!

ratza

glen, go to App manager, select options, Settings, Software installation and select all. Try to install again and it will work.

puterman

luarvique: I agree that it would be nice if it were a native app, but the cost of developing native software for Symbian is huge, so I completely understand why they stick with the Java solution. And I don't have any stability problems with Java.

glenneve

Thanks Ratza I have tried this but it keeps coming up with invalid jar file. I have searched and seems to be a common problem. Will carry on searching because this is a great little app.

ares

works great on the P990, but only flip open...flip closed operation is a bit limited

timsalmon

Invalid Jar file here too. Nokia N76. Works fine with the E61i. Any solutions yet?

Tim

timsalmon

Here's the workaround...

Download the application itself directly from...

http://gmail.com/app/v1.0.0/en/gmail-g.jar

...then launch the Jar File from within a File Manager.

Hurrah!

Tim

Williamoni

Very useful application. Ewan - bit puzzled that you gave it only a score of 70 since your text implies a higher number.

Williamoni

Very useful application. Ewan - bit puzzled that you gave it only a score of 70 since your text implies a higher number??

glenneve

Tim, This worked a treat many thanks!

John B

Your workaround worked a treat. Thank you. It is a nifty application indeed.

Full thread: 14 Comments / Post New Comment