Gmail app on Blackberry getting killed off by Google

medicnick83

medicnick83

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Hear that sound? It’s another death knell for Research in Motion’s (RIM) Blackberry device. The once dominant smartphone maker has been running into issue after issue recently, and the hits continue to come today as Google plans to kill the Gmail app on Blackberry phones.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that on November 22nd, Blackberry users will no longer be able to download the popular email app to their smartphone. Instead of having an integrated app, Google will focus on "building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser.” The obvious disadvantage of this method is that Blackberry users will not receive notifications when new email messages have been received, nor will they be able to easily manage multiple Gmail accounts.

RIM has had a rocky time the past few years. The company controlled nearly 50% of the smartphone market just five years ago, but today controls only 11.6% as they lag far behind Apple and Google.

If you already have the Gmail app on your phone, the functionality will continue to work but new features will no longer be added. Having said that, why is Google pulling the app instead of leaving it available in an unsupported state?
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More Info: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204358004577028342563144130.html
 
Lol you folks do realise its the email app as in non-push? Dunno who would be using that on their blackberry to be honest.

*edit* ok I wait I can think of someone, those who buy a BB and don't use BIS :wtf:
 
It is sad, but at least they will continue supporting the GMail plugin (which I have been using ever since as the GMail app doesn't do push notifications).
 
Kosmik said:
Lol you folks do realise its the email app as in non-push? Dunno who would be using that on their blackberry to be honest.

*edit* ok I wait I can think of someone, those who buy a BB and don't use BIS :wtf:
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What are you ranting on about?
 
phaktza said:
What are you ranting on about?
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You can use the GMAil app without BIS - as long as you set up an APN on your phone. This is the only way to access GMAil if you don't have BIS, and I've met people who does this.
 
I don't use the Gmail App on my BB. I use the built-in BB mail app to simply pull my Gmail down like any other type of email.
 
The Gmail app was made for BB devices from back in the day when you couldn't use push gmail.
 
The standard mobile website still works perfectly - which is where Google wants users to go. Gmail's iPhone apps was also terminated a month or two ago, for the same reason - didn't see a hue and cry about that!
 
Claymore said:
Gmail's iPhone apps was also terminated a month or two ago, for the same reason - didn't see a hue and cry about that!
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Sheesh, that's really not accurate. Wasn't a month or two ago - was last week. They didn't have one before it - it was a new app. It was released and almost immediately pulled as it didn't work too well. It had a huuuuge public outcry!
 
Hmmm looks like Google is changing from their old business model that was shove crap onto a wall and see what sticks to a more focused and targeted one. Well either that or someone in the accounts department said they want more money.

Google recently started killing all the seldom used tech as well as changing the Google maps pricing policy. (That move affected OpenStreetmap servers like you have no idea) The new theme of all the Google pages/apps and opening Google+ for companies is another sign that someone else might be at the helm.

Would be interesting to see what happens next.
 
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