BlackBerry and Gmail: two great flavors that should, in theory, go well together. Unfortunately, there are some issues when integrating the two, hence a BBGeeks-wide obsession with developments in the relationship — particularly about a two-way sync, a feature available with many web-based email clients but not yet with Gmail. We learned last month that RIM was working on an Enhanced Gmail plugin, and over the weekend it was released. No, it doesn’t solve the syncing issue — it’s still one way, which will lead to further frustrations from the BlackBerry Gmail community. Still, it’s an improvement, and something that all BlackBerry Gmail users will welcome.
The install process involves deleting the Gmail account on your BlackBerry and re-adding it. You can do this by following the links at blackberry.com/gmail, or you can do it by logging into your BIS account and deleting and then re-adding it manually.
After that you’ll receive an email prompting you to download it. The link is the same: blackberry.com/gmail. Click the Download button there and you’ll go through the process. That will place a Gmail icon in your Applications Menu. This is where you have to access the plugin — you cannot access features like archiving and marking as spam through your normal Messages application.
As a quick rundown of new features, you can use labels, report spam messages, search your Gmail account even if the emails aren’t on your BlackBerry, archive your messages, and view your messages in conversation form. All of these additions are welcome — though I don’t know how much I’ll actually use the plugin. I access messages through the universal messages app, hiding the individual email icons. Still, it’s nice to have around just in case.
Now, if only we could get some two-way sync going on…
7 comments… read them below or add one
Yeah Josh, this is for those who uses Gmail through POP or IMAP. I don’t know why, but I just can’t get used to the app.
Is this just for people who don’t use the Gmail app? I use Google sync with the Gmail app and it works great: full 2-way sync, notifications when an email is received, integrated contact list, etc.
Hi, just installed and already found a bug: some deep-level labels (I use sublabels in IMAP) do not show on the plugin… It seems it has a limit on the character size of the label. Still trying to find where to ask for proper support.
But having the plugin available is already a huge step forward – the gmail app never was enough for me.
The app needs work, it strips out all HTML and links are not clickable, this might get me to switch away from it though.
Great news ! And it works in France too !
I followed the directions and download the plug in but nothing showed up to click on. I am using a blackberry tour for Sprint. Help?
Terrible. Another half baked app. What is it with these things? I can’t get an audible on my phone when the GV app delivers an SMS or ALL of my emails will make a noice (stick cocktail fork in eyeball now). I make a new email addy just for SMS delivery so those emails will alert me. And now this new app won’t combine email boxes… Forethought RIM/Google, forethought.