Google debuts Gmail Mobile, rejoicing commences

Google has just activated Gmail Mobile that (surprise, surprise) allows you to check you Gmail from your mobile. There have been all sorts of ways for the resourceful Engadgeteer to do this for themselves, — we've been checking Gmail over POP for a while now — but a web interface is pretty ideal for many phones since they won't choke on downloading a few days of mail if they haven't been used to read messages in a while, and who better to do it than Google? They're also bringing those sweet attachment converting services of theirs, so, using no more than your phone's browser, you can browse Word documents and PDF files. Of course you're not getting any of those fun abilities like e-mail auto completion and auto saving from the mother Gmail, but there are a few features like a frequently mailed contacts list and replying to messages by calling the sender that should help ease the pain.

[Thanks, Mike]

[Richard Mukalian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

Ive been waiting for this. I tried it out about a half hour ago and it works flawlessly! I used to use a gmail mobile wap site that was not hosted by google and it was ok and all but this is just amazing! THANKS GOOGLE!

[Elias @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

So, when will Engadget be starting the RIM bankruptcy countdown?

[gobzoro @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

Nice one Google, except it looks like shit on my phone (Nokia 6170). All I can see is the main info (listing on the left) and then a couple of pixels of the log-in box on the right, without being able to scroll to it. I think I'll keep using that Indian guy's SourceForge project...

[scorpio @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

there ain't no Nokia 6170 in their supported phones list, dude... (said in fake yank accent since the page makes it very clear that they have only tested phones offered by US carriers...)
http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=30596&topic=8303

[Liam Billington @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

And it just looks great in gmail HTML on my imate jasjar :-) Sorry I had to brag, serves you right for buying a crap phone!

[Derek @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

#2: So, when will Engadget be starting the RIM bankruptcy countdown?

Uh.. not sure how that's related given that there are BB's listed in the supported device list for this service. It is still not push email (or even close for that matter) so it's not a direct competitor.

Besides, as a business user, if you are using GMail to pick-up business email then that's a whole other issue in-and-of itself.

[Patrick McDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

It works great on my PPC-6600. One thing I noticed, is when I click a link in an email, Google actually fetches the page and modifies it for mobile phones. SO far, I've only visited Rage3D in it, but it look fantastic. It makes it very easy to read and I hope it does the same for other forums. I'll just email myself a list of my favorite forums and browse them through Google

[ex-902SH guy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

#3: Nokia s40 phones' browser isn't that great to begin with. I just tried that with my 8801 and I have to shrink the text the smallest size just to see everything. Your phone's screen resolution wouldn't give you much to see at all.

OT, I love my 8801, but the damn browser is just pathetic. Almost enough reason to switch back to my 902SH. But then all the kiddies in Toronto has Japanese flip phones now.... :P

FSM is my master

[Duds @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

It even works in Firefox on my Mac too...for the most cut down minimalist email yo'ever seen.

[murph @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

not bad on my Samsung i730. i would still prefer better POP support from Gmail. POP and Windows Mobile doesn't work very well.

[modenadude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

I don't know, I still like just going to gmail.com on my phone, I have unlimited internet at 3 bucks a month (with T-Mobile - old customer), and that suits me perfectly.

[Alcaron @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

This is actually the biggest piece of crap EVER.

I have a RAZR which is IN their list of supported phones.

I goto login, fine, passes me through to ANOTHER login screen, this one ALSO has a stupid ass security image though. The gmail logo appears at the top of the screen, but the security image does not display.

So there is no way for me to log in. It says if the security image does not display login again from your dekstop to enable mobile gmail. I've logged back in on the desktop 30 times now, and there is no setting anywhere to re-enable it.

Heck, I've even gone to m.gmail.com on my desktop. If I log out in firefox though I have to log back in to normal gmail because m.gmail.com wont render due to an XML error.

Very lame.

[Zach @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???
WHERE ARE MY PHOTO THUMBNAILS???

[Damian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

I don't understand why these guys are doing WAP/HTML - why not come up with a little app...let's say a java and a blackberry app, that gives you more functionality. Then, hey, they could really do some damage.

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

What format? WAP?

[Kiteless @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

Hmm it is not coming up for me. I am on Cingular with a Nokia 6620.

- Kiteless

[XBOX360GUY @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

WTF? I've been using it for days...

[memodude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:32AM]

#15: It uses XHTML Mobile Profile.

[Henry @ Jan 6th 2006 3:54PM]

Having trouble seeing any attachments on Nokia 6620.



The emails show up with the paperclip graphic at the right of them. I'm not sure if that implies an attachment is present (has downloaded).



Do attachments open on the fly as you read the e-mail or do you have to click-to-open them?



Any help?



-H