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Google Pulls the Plug On BlackBerry Gmail App

Posted by timothy on from the to-ensure-your-satisfaction dept.

hypnosec writes "From later this month, Google has decided to stop providing its popular Gmail app for BlackBerry. This can be viewed as a shock for RIM as they are putting in strong efforts to prevent customer defections to handsets that run on Android and iOS. Thus, from 22nd November, BlackBerry owners will not be able to reach Gmail on their devices; only those users who already have Gmail installed will be able to access and use the Google app. On Tuesday, Google on its official apps update blog stated that the company will now be focusing on 'building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser.'"

7 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. Garbage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No self respecting BB user uses the Gmail app. It is clunky and slow. You use BIS with your Gmail account with the Gmail plugin. The article is tripe as well.

    1. Re:Garbage by reboot246 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      BB's in anybody's eyes are bad.

      You'll shoot your eye out kid!

  2. As a blackberry user... by damn_registrars · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'll say that the gmail app isn't as universally useful on the blackberry as the gmail webpage. The biggest problem with it is that it is permanently linked to having data service available through your wireless carrier, while the webpage can work through your wireless carrier on a data plan, or anywhere that you have wifi (and most blackberries have had built in wifi for some time now). The webpage is at the point where it is very useful for the blackberry, and it supports at least two different modes for the phone depending on your needs as well.

    So really, this isn't a big deal. Not to say that RIM isn't in trouble, but losing an app that wasn't that great to begin with isn't a huge blow to blackberries.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  3. Wary of this... by ackthpt · · Score: 4, Insightful

    'building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser.'"

    Seems to be a function of time that Google's products become worse; more whizzy, but add no value; useable interface replaced by inexplicable interface and really useful, neat ideas, are not implemented in favor or more cruft.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  4. RIM's best bet by LoudMusic · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I still think RIM's best bet is to make an enterprise grade 'app' for Apple iOS and Android to provide Blackberry style service on non-RIM hardware.

    --
    No sig for you. YOU GET NO SIG!
    1. Re:RIM's best bet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Why not stay in the hardware game? They seem to be able to make attractive devices. Start producing their own Android handsets and only provide the Blackberry software with their handsets.

  5. Re:This is untrue by Sir_Sri · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If anything this might be the start of big companies getting the clue - we already have an app for that*, it's called a web browser.

    *obviously that doesn't apply for everything yet, but they're working on it.