A few days ago I checked my Gmail with the Blackberry browser, it was easy to log in and navigate it was just a little slow accessing the site over http. Then in the top of the page I noticed a little link that said “Want Faster Gmail?” I clicked the link and it took me to http://www.gmail.com/apps and prompted me to download the Gmail Application for the Blackberry 8800. I clicked the link and after a few seconds it returned a 404 page not found error. I tried everything, even some alternate links that google search returned but they all failed.
I did a little more searching and found http://mobile.google.com which recognized the Blackberry 8800 and presented me with a download for Google Search, Google News, Google Maps, Gmail and Google Talk. Each one of these as a native application. Sweet.
Even though the 8800 is GPS enabled, Goolge Maps for Mobile is really a GPS application. It pulls the details from their server but it does not utilize LBS or location based services to determine your current information. But it is handy to get directions or maps – I was really hoping that the application would use the built in GPS.
The next application that I tried was Google Talk, I have actually been using this since I first got my BB and it is one of the must have Blackberry applications. You would not believe how often I send a quick message over Gtalk.
The whole reason for the download if you remember was actually the Gmail application I wanted to see if it would work as my personal mail alternative because my Blackberry mail account is tied to my Blackberry Enterprise server at the office. I want to make sure that I can keep personal and business mail separate. I think that it is just respectful to keep a split between personal and business.
Overall the application does make Gmail a breeze to use but there is no new message notification. I have read that I can do this with software from handango called Blackberry Alerts and I will update as soon as I know more.
At this point I am just jazzed to have ready access to the google services over the phone, it is just a ton easier than constantly opening a browser to search or check mail.