The App Store is yet to offer any third-party email clients, but that’s all about to change thanks to Google. The company is reportedly “on the verge” of launching a “fantastic” Gmail app for the iPhone that may have already been submitted to Apple for approval.
TechCrunch’s M.G. Siegler has been informed by multiple sources that a native Gmail application for the iPhone is on its way, and providing Apple allows the app into the App Store, it should be out soon. On his personal blog, Siegler writes:
Google is on the verge of launching their native Gmail app, multiple sources tell me. In fact, I believe it has already been submitted to Apple for review. If it gets approved, it should be out soon. And I think it’s going to be approved.
This is great news for a couple of reasons. First: native Gmail app! Awesome. Second: those who have seen the app tell me it’s pretty fantastic. Perhaps even surprisingly so.
Of course, if you’re a Gmail user, you’ll already be aware Google has a pretty nice HTML5 web app for managing your email account, and you can also set up the iPhone’s built-in Mail app for Gmail. But there are some advantages to a native Gmail app…
Firstly, the app will provide you with Push Notification alerts — something you cannot currently enjoy when using the Gmail web app. Secondly, the app will push messages to your iPhone, meaning you don’t have to fetch them manually, as you do with the iPhone’s built-in Mail app. The official app is also expected to introduce Google’s Priority Inbox function, and one-click starring of messages.
All we have to do now is await Apple’s approval. Although the company has previously rejected third-apps for providing functionality already available through its own built-in apps and services, it changed its mind on this when it began accepting third-party web browsers into the App Store. I don’t see why a third-party email client should be any different.
[via 9to5Mac]
