BlackBerry users will no longer have access to the installed native Gmail application as Google will pull the support plug on the app later this month.
The search giant announced on Tuesday that it would “end support for the Gmail app for BlackBerry” on 22 November. According to Google's blog post, the app for its Web-based e-mail will not be available for download anymore as of this date, but “users may continue to use the app, if installed”.
Google says it is ceasing development on the Gmail app for BlackBerry in order to focus on the mobile browser experience. “Over this past year, we've focused efforts on building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser and will continue investing in this area.”
In a conciliatory statement following the termination announcement, it adds that BlackBerry users can continue to access Gmail through the mobile Web app in their BlackBerry Web browser (http://www.gmail.com).
However, Google's termination of Gmail support for BlackBerry devices will present an inconvenience for its users who have a Gmail account and want to access messages on the go, or get hold of quick support for Gmail-related problems.
In an online statement, Google said BlackBerry users will be able to continue consulting the troubleshooting guide in the app, but the guide would “not be maintained or enhanced.”
No problem
While the move comes at the end of a challenging year for RIM, which has had to endure market share loss, a lacklustre response to its tablet offering and the worst outage in its history, the company downplays the significance of the app termination as no real loss to its customers.
The BlackBerry maker adds that its native support for Gmail includes support for multiple Gmail accounts, calendar and contact syncing, and Gmail-specific functions such as archive, star, label, conversation view and remote search. “RIM will, of course, continue to work on enhancing this experience further over time. In addition to utilising this native support, BlackBerry users can access Gmail through our WebKit browser with full support for HTML5.”
Moot motive
World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck says the termination of the e-mail app for its rival RIM may be a stratagem on Google's part to strengthen its own operating system.
“It will be disappointing if it is an attempt to bolster its Android operating system. While the move is not good for BlackBerry, it is also not good for Google. This is especially so in a market where people depend heavily on e-mail and the app that enhances the experience.”
He suspects Google's motive is based on strategy in terms of competition. “Their excuse will probably be based on some technical justification, but I suspect their reason is strategic. BlackBerry's operating system is a competitor to Android.”
Goldstuck adds, however, that he would have expected Google to implement the same termination for Apple's iOS. “The next step may well be the removal of the app for Apple devices too.”
He concludes that Google, one of the world's biggest e-mail providers, needs to separate its Gmail strategy from its Android strategy. “All these pervasive tools and apps need to be cross-platform. If the provider wants to live up to the mission they express when they release the tools, they need to avoid limiting these tools to specific platforms.”
Click here to read Google's full statement on the “Deprecation of Gmail App for BlackBerry”.
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