Hi guys,

I'm completely new, so I apologize in advance if these are obvious questions. I actually did try to search google and this forum for the answers.

I just purchased an 8700c because I wanted a new phone and that's the best one (according to CNET) with a QWERTY keyboard. The e-mail's not the most important feature in the world to me, but I'll take it. I understand Blackberrys are primarily e-mail devices, so buying one as a phone first is a little silly--like buying a computer just to watch DVDs.

So anyway, I signed up for the Cingular Blackberry $45 data plan. I'm just a college student, I don't work for anyone, so I guess I'm gonna use the Blackberry with my Gmail account.

So how does this all work? When I receive a message to my Gmail account, it's automatically on my Blackberry as well (assuming I turn on POP and set the thing up, of course)? Then I can read the e-mail and reply to it on either the handheld or my desktop? And if I delete the message from one, it's gone from both? If that's how this works, it sounds perfect--they're perfectly synched. However, what I don't WANT is to have to remember which messages I read on my Blackberry, then go and delete those from Gmail too. That sounds like a nightmare! Does that make any sense?

Also, will I still be able to use the Gmail web page, or will I have to bite the bullet now and start using Outlook or Thunderbird now? Thanks for your patience, if I was unclear just ask me to clarify.

Once you have gmail set up, you will get the messages on your BB. Deleting from one WILL NOT delete from the other. Reading them on the BB won't mark them as read in gmail. You will still be able to use the web client to access gmail and read your messages there too, but if you want to delete them you have to do it in gmail.

So how does this all work? When I receive a message to my Gmail account, it's automatically on my Blackberry as well (assuming I turn on POP and set the thing up, of course)?

Don't POP from gmail except for Outlook or other PC based e-mail. There is a setup for you to get your e-mail forwarded to your BB, without it you will poll for mail evry 15 minutes or so. There is an extensive set of instructions on how to do it here:
http://home.comcast.net/~tamsterra/OP/Gmail.htm

You also have to setup the e-mail on your service provider but all of that is explained in the instructions you get with the 8700. Set that up then read the above web page. Thank Stinsondog ( the author) when you get it set up.

By the way, a search of "gmail" would have given you this info and a ton more so I can't say I believe that you searched, there is even a thread (Gmail BIS2 Setup) 2 or three away from this thread where we discussed it, and tweeked the setup.
Here is that search result:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/sear...archid=1030723


Good Luck, I use this setup and love it. The members here were a huge help.

So if I have Cingular, an 8700, and Gmail/Yahoo! Mail Plus, there's no way to get it so that everything will be perfectly synched? I'd like to be able to delete a message from my Blackberry, and have it delete from Yahoo or Gmail too, basically. I'm willing to use Outlook or any desktop e-mail client since I know both Yahoo! and Gmail have POP forwarding. Thanks for being so patient w/ me.

Gmail won't sync as it's POP
however Yahoo! will - IF you have BIS 2.0 which Cingular will release soon (if the rumors are true)

I'm willing to use either the Gmail or Yahoo! web site, or a desktop client with these services such as Outlook. Does that make a difference?

Cingular is releasing a new BIS2.0. They say that it will reconcile with Yahoo.

This is being discussed alot around here as it is due to launch next week. Look for the Cingular BIS 2.0 thread.
Edit: I will even give you the link:
Cingular rolls out BIS 2.0 & Unl Price drop!

And This:
Understanding BIS 2.0

GL and please read the forums, lots to see out there.