i like the looks of this app. Can anyone tell me.. does this use normal data (over the gsm or gprs network) or do you NEED the BB Conect?

Thank you.

Yes, the GMail app uses "normal data"; it is not routing messages via the BlackBerry routing infrastructure (which requires a BlackBerry data plan).

awsome... thank you for the info and help.

Hi,

Im trying to get a blackberry to work in Finland with a local provider. It seems that you have managed to achieve this...how did you do it

Thanks

Andy

is it better to just run your gmail threw the BIS or have a icon for it with the gmail app? Which is better are there pluses or minuses?

Same here, I just use the mobile site if I need an older email, works fine and one less app that I barely use on my device.

The Gmail application has its own look-and-feel which is totally different from the built-in mail client. In fact, the app looks like the full PC version in miniature. If you like the Gmail interface, you will definitely like the app.

Advantages over BIS/BES would be:
- full "labels" (folders) support
- you can "star" (mark) messages
- full search capabilities (you can search ALL your mail in your Gmail account)
- access to your Gmail addressbook
- way better looks (in my opinion)

Disadvantages:
- you can't send attachments (reading is supported though)
- new mail arrives a bit slower because the application uses a poll interval of 20 minutes instead of push mail
- the small "envelope" that shows up when new BIS mail, SMS etc. arrive is missing yet (apart from that, there is full notification support however)
- you can't send Gmail mail from the addressbook


Overall, I really like the Gmail app. I guess I would even use it instead of BIS if I had that (my provider doesn't offer it) but as I don't I can't tell for sure ;).

isn't the point of a bb push email? does it work threw bis and push?

I'm not saying what the point of a BB will be for other people . Personally, I'm perfectly happy with Gmail app - I don't see the point in having mail thrown at me every minute of the day, so a 20 minutes interval is more than enough for me. I can even quit the app so I will not be disturbed by new mail all the time which isn't even possible with BIS as far as I know (-> work-life-balance???).

Besides: BIS isn't instant most of the time either. With Gmail or Yahoo, it might be for some people but I read many complaints about delays here, so...

I understand the balance thing I just see people pay alot of money for push and to get it every 20 mins is fine but then get a centro or Treo and pay 15.00 for your email instead of 30-40.

Well, I'm certainly not paying anywhere near 30-40. My generic data plan costs me 7.50$ for 50 MB. It's exactly the same as with a Palm, there is not difference regarding data / data costs.

I just installed the G-Mail App -- I wish there was a way to increase the frequency of how often it will check the mail. (I know some users don't mind the 20 minute lag, but I'm an e-mail addict! hahah) I guess I've been spoiled with BB Push!

My main reason for installing is because I download all of my Gmail message to Outlook at home, but for whatever reason, when I send via my blackberry, those sent items do not get downloaded. Anytime I send via Gmail, no problem. A bit frustrating. I was hoping to use this Gmail App in place of the regular BB mail, but if I doubt I will do so with the lag time, etc. I'll keep it installed just for kicks I guess.

by the way... if you set your BIS settings for GMail to send a BCC to yourself, it will record as a send item on the GMail server...

==============

Hi sheepBB, thanks for the great write up.

Unfortunately, you stopped short in telling newbies (like myself!) how to get the actual GMAIL Installer Package via a PC. I use Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Thanks for you help in advace!

I just swapped my old 8100 BB Pearl for a new one (warranty issue due to gummed up tracking ball), and when I performed full "restore" function of my back-up data from yesterday, GMail application didn't get downloaded...

I downloaded the GMail from Google's site this AM, and found out that I am getting the same error message as many other users, e.g. "Network Unavailable, BlackBerry reconfiguration is required, etc...". Called T-Mobile, they said that they couldn't help (e.g. I should consult Google first).

While searching for the solution, I've read through this entire thread that has a lot of great information. Just wanted to share with everyone that one of the prevoius posts did the trick for me:

"...
this happened to me when I installed the new google talk. re-register.

Go to:
Options
Advanced
Host Routing Table
Click the scroll wheel and choose "Register Now"

Google talk worked after that.

Give it a try..."

I gave it a try, and re-registering the BB per instructions above worked ! Awesome, thanks for great help - this problem was really frustrating me earlier today, but now everything is working great.

P.S. More FYI: I had to do enterprise activation for our corporate e-mail, which has super-stringent IT-security settings that it writes on BB device. I performed "enterprise activation" before I downloaded the GMail v1.5.1 - maybe that was part of the problem...

==============

Hmmm, sorry, this doesn't work for me... may be it's because I do not have a Blackberry plan, I just use a generic data plan... Both Goole Map and Yahoo Go! works perfectly on this same BB 8820 for me though! I am pulling my hair out!!!

Does the gmail application remove the need to have BBSmart? Gmail application puts it into HTML like on your computer right?

No, text only.

So what do you guys prefer BBSmart or Gmail app?

[hi my name is vicki,i just got a new blackberry pearl and i think it is crazy to have to pay all that for a bb net package,i have read on here that u can download it for free off the net to your phone will someone please help me???? and another question if i download the free net will i still be able to send and receive pictures from my friends or is it best for me to just pay for the blackberry plan? u can also email me at also if u would like to tell me about the bb net.thank youQUOTE=sheepBB;766658]You can open the .jad file (OTA installer) you have downloaded with any text editor. In there, you will find the names of the .cod files as follows (Gmail app; in this case there are 3 files):

RIM-COD-URL-0: gm_42_L1.cod
RIM-COD-Size-0: 95264
RIM-COD-URL-1: gm_42_L1-1.cod
RIM-COD-Size-1: 91736
RIM-COD-URL-2: gm_42_L1-2.cod
RIM-COD-Size-2: 63556

To find out the actual URLs of those files you can use the URL of the .jad file which is:
http://www.gmail.com/app/v1.5.1/L1/gm-BlackBerry-42.jad

The .cod files are in the same path, so the URLs are:

http://www.gmail.com/app/v1.5.1/L1/gm_42_L1.cod
http://www.gmail.com/app/v1.5.1/L1/gm_42_L1-1.cod
http://www.gmail.com/app/v1.5.1/L1/gm_42_L1-2.cod

Download these files to a folder and you are ready to go. The ALX I created looks like this (to be saved in the same folder as the .cod files):

I hope this helps .


P.S.: Having no BIS / BES myself, I installed Gmail (among a whole bunch of other OTA-only applications) in the way described here, so I can tell for sure this will work if done correctly. I don't post the actual installer package here because I feel Google would not be happy about it.[/quote]

If you are using non blackberry data with Rogers in Canada you can use the Rogers WAP browser that comes on your BB to download Gmail 1.5 over the air. I have no idea if this will work with any other carrier, however I just completed the task with Rogers.

Same here, I keep reading this thread over and over but it really makes no sense to me, I don't understand all the instructions, I really want to set up Gmail on my phone though, can anyone help simplify for me? thanks.

Why not just do the OTA download? Go to m.google.com on your berry's browser and download the Gmail application. Why does everyone want to avoid the OTA? Since the application uses data, why would you install it without a data plan in the first place? Now I am confused...

We have Data, we don't have the BB plan. Therefor once you get Gmail on your BB you can use the data plan to access via HTML I believe. But I can't figure out how to get it, all this jar jab and file things are confusing.

Well, since you asked...

Blackberry OTA downloader | download free OTA themes to your desktop

I have never used this service (it appears to be new), but check it out... it just might be what you are looking for...

but be advised... data is data... the only other option would be SMS and you (obviously) can't get GMAIL via SMS...

Someone else on this thread asked earlier, but I never saw a reply...

I've downloaded the .jad and .cod files and created my own .alx file. It installed via DM without problems and is working just fine. However, every time I go to Application Manager it insists that GMail needs to be updated (and, in fact, will recopy the .cod files to my device if I proceed). Does anyone have any idea why that is? It isn't harmful, just annoying...

Delete the jar, jad and the alx file from your PC. That should solve the problem

I was hoping to search for a confirmation here, but found this link instead. So far, it looks like no one has come up with a solution to the "Network Unavailable, Blackberry reconfiguration is required, etc...", error and not recognizing your password.

Recently, I changed web GMail to always use HTTPS. First time I installed the java app and opened it, I got prompted with a message about allowing HTTPS connections to this site (google.com or something). Figured I was safe by entering Always Allow.

However, that's not the issue. Apparently, Gmail app doesn't like HTTPS? Updating my web settings to not require HTTPS, seem to have eliminated the problem, and I'm a happy camper with the app. Maybe I'm not exactly hitting the nail on the head, but I'm not a web expert. Anyone able to confirm that this is in fact the issue and possibly why?

EDIT: I re-enabled HTTPS on Gmail's site and the problem started again on my handheld. It seems their java app is incompatible with this setting?

Lastly, I went into the Gmail app's setting and enabled "Always use secure network connections (slower performance), and so far no issue. Might not be related, I plan on playing with it, and re-enabling HTTPS on the web side.

Do you need to have a data plan in order to use the Gmail App? I only have wifi on a 8320.

you don't neeed BIS or BES, but you DO need a generic data plan. Gmail app will not work with Wi-Fi only.

Hi,

I am using RIM JDE 4.2.1. How can i generate .alx file in Windows command line? What is the exact command to do it?

Thank you. B.

I am a student and I can't afford to pay big buck, so I got the $5.99. I'm not very good with this programing, please someone help me how I can get it my BB to work. How can I get the gmail working.

Thank you guys so much.

I was able to download gmail app using the .alx file but it keeps telling me "Please be patient while gmail loads for the first time .." although it has been over an hour. I am on 5.99 tzones plan from tmobile in US.

Any help appreciated

hello friends, how are you?i have unlocked bb bold 9000 without data plan, becaus i live in IRAN and bis is not supported here.
another thing is when i want to download the gmail app from the m.google.com , the google site lock the page for me becaus i live in IRAN! i think it has political reasons.
i want to one of you do me a faver an give me the link of latest version that i abale to download this app.
i love my bb and you guys
thanks for your help and sorry for my poor english ;)

any help here?