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Gmail for iOS now fetches mail in the background, simplifies log-in
Today, Google updated its Gmail app on Apple's mobile platform, bringing with it some features bound to be very useful for users. The iOS application is finally capable of fetching mail in the background, so new stuff can hit your inbox at any given time -- not just when you open the app. For the background app refresh to work as intended, however, the company points out that notifications will need to be turned on. Google's also made its sign-in process more streamlined, meaning that once you log into the Gmail app, you'll automatically be signed in to other iOS apps from the search giant. Because, c'mon, Google wants you to be doing Google things all the time.
Gmail redesign leaks during I/O, shows new navigation drawer and updated inbox
During an I/O session called "Structure in Android App Design," Google leaked a new design for Gmail ahead of any official announcement. The slide shows a revamped navigation drawer and a conspicuous lack of the action bar on the bottom. Functions currently located at the bottom of the screen (like compose and search) have moved up, streamlining the inbox's vertical structure. Meanwhile, the new navigation drawer makes it easier to access features like the priority inbox and individual labels without having to open separate screens, as is the case on the current Gmail app. There are a few cosmetic changes as well, like the larger stars in the inbox. It's hard to tell from the image, but one might assume that the navigation bar scrolls down to reveal important functions like trash, spam, and drafts. It doesn't appear that the inclusion of the screenshot was given much thought -- indeed, presenter Jens Nagel left in his personal Gmail address, now blurred out. Stay tuned -- we'll update you as official word on a redesign comes in.
Google to end support for BlackBerry Gmail app this month
Google has already made quite a few significant cuts to services it's deemed outside of its focus in the past few months, and it's now made another that surely won't please a particular subset of its users. It's announced that it will end support of the Gmail app for BlackBerry phones on November 22nd. Those that have the app installed will be able to continue using it indefinitely, but it will no longer be supported by Google or available for download after the cut-off date (so you might want to grab it now if you don't already have it). In its place, Google is directing BlackBerry users to the mobile web app accessible through the browser, and it notes that it will "continue investing in this area."
Daily Update for November 2, 2011
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen.
Gmail for Android updated, becomes Market app
We've always said the native Gmail app is one of the best parts of Android, and it just got even better: it now supports Priority Inbox, has a "show quoted text" button, and features a floating message actions toolbar like the browser-based mobile Gmail webapp. The bigger news, though, is that Google's releasing Gmail directly to Android Market, where it'll be a separate download that can be revved with new features independently of Android itself. That's a pretty great move, as anyone still waiting for a carrier-approved Froyo build can attest, but there's irony afoot: the new Gmail won't run on anything less than 2.2. Wah-wah.
