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We like using Gmail on our phone

gmailphone060607.jpgForgive us if this is old news for you, but we just recently discovered Gmail Mobile, and we are loving it. Basically, it's a tiny app for your mobile device that allows you to read and respond to your email and open up attachments — all very quickly (much faster than trying to look at Gmail through your phone's internet browser). This is just what we needed, since we use Gmail for all of our email and were having trouble getting our @shmobile.com email to work properly on our phone. Speaking of phones, we use a Sony Ericsson k750i, but we think this should work on most phones with GPRS service. Here are some other requirements, according to Google:

Requirements: The downloadable application requires a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to run. Certain devices, such as Palm Treo™ or Windows Mobile™ smartphones may not come pre-installed with a JVM. Depending on your phone model, you may have a choice between a web-based version and a downloadable application. Please see our help center pages for more information. This service is free from Google but charges from your carrier may apply.

You can find China Mobile GPRS charges here. We opted for the RMB 20 GPRS tao can (套餐 or literally "set meal"). That gives us 50 MB a month, and it is 0.01 RMB for every KB we go over. Call 10086 from your phone to set up a plan.

We have never used a Blackberry device before, but this seems like it must be kind of similar. Only difference is with Gmail messages don't "push" to your phone automatically. You need to hit "refresh" if you want to see new messages, but we kind of prefer it that way.

To download Gmail Mobile, just visit gmail.com/app on your mobile web browser.

And no, we are not friends with someone named "Buck Rogerson."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@shanghaiist.com with further questions, comments or tips.
By Dan Washburn in on June 6, 2007 11:20 AM

Comments [rss]

  • John

    I do like Gmail Mobile, however, it does not do anything for my other email services. I have been using movamail.com (on your mobile browser) for about six months and it is now my default mobile email application. It is a java based application and supports all webmail (yahoo, MSN, AOL, Gmail etc) POP, and IMAP. For Gmail you have to enable POP on your Gmail account to use MovaMail. It is free to download and free to use.

    John

    PS. They also recently beta released their mobile instant messaging application which you can download on your mobile browser at Movamessenger.com. It is beta, but I have not had any issues yet.

  • Gee Male

    As of a couple of weeks ago, every time I start a new GPRS session (i.e., browse the web from my phone), I get a stupid info page from China Mobile reminding me that I can check the GPRS tariff on their website. Then I have to click a link to get where I wanted to go. Not a big problem for web browsing, but the handy dandy Gmail applet described here apparently can't deal with this new wrinkle and now no longer is able to connect with the mail server. Anyone else have this problem and/or find a way to get rid of the reminder page?

  • Matt S

    Google reader is also great for catching up with your RSS feeds from your phone.

  • gabyu

    You also can get some few other applications :

    Google maps (only the sat view would help for now in Shanghai),

    Google calendar (using Opera)

  • Legume Chen

    RE: We like using Gmail on our phone

    I like Shanghaiist and I just want to say it's really sad that you guys can only afford one phone between you.

    I guess you're always bickering about who's turn it is to carry the phone today, and fighting over who gets to answer incoming calls, and so on.

    Try to get some more advertising, and buy the Shanghaiist team their own personal phones.

  • lapsaptong

    Just another comment (funny, strange, ...). Called 10086 for changing the GPRS subsciption. Pressed "2" for English service and still got transferred to non-English-speaking clerk. In the end still managed to achieve the aim. haha.

  • lapsaptong

    I am using this app for some time already. It's great! Actually, with my phone (SonyEricsson K800) i can minimise the application and it's keeps "refreshing" automatically.

    So far I was spending RMB 100 and more per month for GPRS due to that. Have to check the plan you have mentioned.

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