Google's new Gmail mobile (local) client is now available. I installed the Java ME client for a quick spin. The app, even without push or autosync email, is a winner – an example of the kind of rich clients that I (and others) have been talking about, and why it is just better than browser-based and Mobile AJAX apps (OK, not a fair comparison, as Mobile AJAX is kind of non-existent). And it is a true example of the benefits of local, rich mobile clients, with their rich(er) yet simple and straightforward user interfaces that result in a better mobile experience. And why is that? No surprise here — because it's able to implement smarts (and access) locally, such as preloading and caching, better (graphical) navigation, menus, and UI. And just wait until they integrate with their IM, and calendar apps and other functionality via their services on the web — long live the platform!
While the local Gmail mobile client provides the same basic functionality as its browser counterpart, as previously mentioned, it simply provides a better experience.

Download the application for free by pointing your micro-browser to gmail.com/app …and note that you don't need .mobi!

For your viewing pleasure, below are some screenshots of the Gmail mobile client UI: the Inbox, some of its menus, text input, archive, and reply-to/sending a message.
Note how the application nicely implements a simple UI, the menus, and shortcuts (access numbers) within the menus. Also note how the application breaks some of the user experience implicit rules, for example when switching between fullscreen and non-fullscreen (which is bad experience) when typing information — but I don't blame them too much for that, as today in MIDP there is the limitation that to leverage the platform's native text input functionality (such as T9) you need to jump out of low-level (Canvas) onto a high-level TextBox or Form-and-TextField-or-CustomItem, unless you implement the text input yourself on Canvas, resulting on a larger application (the Gmail mobile Java ME client is only 112KB, not bad)… it is the traditional judgment call to make in an attempt to be as portable (by choosing Java ME/MIDP and the features to use) and small as possible while maximizing users/handsets reach. As a side-note, good news is that MIDP3 is going to address this and other things too…







Update: For completeness, let me add that I ran the Gmail J2ME client on a unlocked Nokia 6680…

ceo