Gmail for mobile: near perfect….
November 6th, 2006
I finally had GMail client application working! The program was always complainging with the following error: “This program require a working connection. Check your settings“. My settings were good, and it was obvious that the connection was on-going between GMail and their server.
In fact, the problem was that my GMail account had a default language which was not english (in that case french). So switching it to english solved the issue. Surprisingly bad user experience for a Google application.
Anyway, the program is working fine, and already a hit. I will not go into the details, C.Enrique made a nice “review” on it…
Just some though:
- compared to all others mail program that I was able to test, it’s from far the most easiest to use, and the most readable. It shows how complex it is to create a simple to use UI (this is not a framework issue, but a usability issue)
- shows also that except from my small connection issue, most of the mobile are ready for mass deployment of connected applications. Mobile2.0 is heare, and it’s a perfect exemple of the power of synchronisation vs browsing (and for me, this is a mobile Ajax application).
- MIDP still have some works to do, especially on the ability to launch one app from an other. Today, no way to launch GMail client from Opera Mini, or from a Widget engine. You need to exit, and find the app by yourself. Should be solved by “JSR211, content handler API”, but there is still no handset implementing this JSR!
Technorati Tags: gmail mobile, google, gmail, j2me
Entry Filed under: Ajax, Google, MobileAjax, Wireless
8 Comments Add your own
1. Pedro Macedo | November 6th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
Hi Tom,
I have the same problem in my N93. Just follow your tip and change my default language from portuguese to english and it worked! Have anybody reported this issue to google team?
2. TomSoft | November 6th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
I guess so, as I found the solution while browsing GMail groups
3. Erik Weibust | November 6th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
What are requirements for mobile Gmail, other then a Java enabled phone? Do I need some sort of data plan with my provider?
Erik
4. TomSoft | November 6th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
You must have access to the internet from your phone. So:
a) it must be part of a data plan, or at least allowed by your operator
b) the phone must be configured correctly to allows data access
5. HuLsH | November 9th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
The new Gmail app is great, but I have a problem using it with my V800, I get a “certificate not valid” error. I don’t know if I am going to use it or go back to my old and trusty Movamail http://movamail.com/ I can use it to read mail from my other accounts on yahoo and hotmail, beside gmail.
6. mika li | November 10th, 2006 at 2:01 am
I love gmail on mobile too… check out my video review here.
http://mobiko.blogs.com/mutant/2006/11/gmail_mobile_re.html#comments
7. Moon | November 12th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
i have the same problem…..certificates not valid…any solution?
8. Daniel Gergès | November 13th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Merci Thomas - now this works for me !! I was so frustrated!
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