I’m not happy at all with Google after their utterly stupendous announcement about dumping their Gmail App support for BlackBerry.
With just under two weeks notice before support official ends, I’m stunned that the company thought this was a suitable approach given the fact I spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds with them on Google Apps. I expect an enterprise quality service. I get this from Google Apps, however the app was integral to my experience.
I know that after the 22nd, I’ll still be able to use the app, but just the knowledge that Google DOESN’T CARE has shaken my confidence in the company.
On what level did they think this would be acceptable? Where’s the mission critical enterprise awareness at Google Central? I’m spooked.
In reality — if I take a step back — the techies at Google are right. Browser access on the BlackBerry is fine. It works perfectly well.
However their move has really upset my confidence in the company — strangely — since, I can clearly see that I am still able to access and query my data perfectly fine (if not as ‘nicely’) via the browser.
It’s emotional on my part.
What to do about it?
Well, I keep on finding myself coming back to Microsoft, to Office365, to Outlook.
You see one interesting thing is that I am hoarding email. I’m addicted to archiving. Just in case. I get stupid amounts of email and once in a blue moon, it’s rather useful to be able to query that mass of knowledge (e.g. for a press release I vaguely remember getting 6 months ago).
In sitting and evaluating the possibility of shifting back to Outlook I’m rather excited at the prospect of having a ‘proper’ email environment. That is, simply being able to delete stuff. Or keep it if I need it.
Oh I don’t know.
I’ve been hovering over the Office365 purchase button this evening. I’m also thinking about the brilliance of being able to seamlessly connect that to my BlackBerry.
Maybe I can get over my shock and continue with Google.
Or maybe it’s my email management techniques that I need to deal with.
Or maybe there’s actually not a problem…
slap you more like 😉 Try the native gmail experience on Android 4, the logic of Android native mail has always been sound. I’ll wager the new feel and, perhaps more importantly, the speed of it will blow BlackBerry mail out of the water. Time to relegate it down to the Exchange inbox manager that it is…
…maybe it’s actually time you accept that the Windows/Nokia OS is simply wonderful and the Outlook environment in addition to that is like heaven on earth?
…that was one for @whatleydude by the way… jus’ kidding 😉 although @ilicco showed me the windows OS and it was kick-ass. me? no chance. google all the way.
I’m moving into that ballpark jMac….!
Seriously I am looking for the light and I’m not finding it from Google…!
I can’t message properly on an Android device. Put a BlackBerry keyboard on one and then we’ll talk…
Well office 365 allows you to have a 1 month free trial. That is what I am using right now. I will pay for it and convert to Exchange Plan 1 for 5 dollars a month after that. BES is working fine. Some people have issues, but if your patient its all ok.
What I cant fathom, is what do the millions of people who have BB OS 4,5,even 6 devices do. Their browsers are total shit and dont work well with gmail via web. Killing the gmail app on bb for them is the end of the line. Oh well so much for Google Apps for Business and BESX… stupid google.
I have a funny feeling Motorola may oblige you with a qwerty Android soon.
Show me a proper keyboard… Are Moto capable of making device like the QC with Android. I hope so!
You will regret going from Gmail to anything. Your problem is hardware, not software.
So Google decided not to support an app for a phone that by definition uses a competing email system at its core – I’m cool with that. Whenever I installed Google Apps on BB it always felt like a complete waste – RIM’s much-vaunted efficiency, data compression etc – gone. Out the window. Irrelevant. It simply became a QWERTY device with a proprietary charging requirement (i.e. it wouldn’t charge from flat unless a RIM charger was used). And BBM was never a drawcard for me. If you are a power GMail user on BB, you have ALREADY decided to eschew RIM’s reason for existing in the first place – *by not using the baked-in incredibly efficient Exchange email handling*.
I just cannot see the logic in going through the massive upheaval of changing from GMail to an Exchange-compliant system just to keep a QWERTY keyboard. As Dominic says, QWERTY devices are like buses, there’ll be another along soon.
I think you’re right…
you heard it here first!
The Blackberry is dead. Get over it.
Seems both WP7 and Android can fulfil your e-mail needs, it’s just you like RIM’s QWERTY designs.
There are already quite a few portrait QWERTY Android handsets available/announced – Samsung B7150 Galaxy Pro, HTC ChaCha, Motorola Motokey, ZTE Tureis, etc. Most of these have a Facebook orientated, lower-end devices aimed at yoof. But as GMail machines, using native Android GMail app, they will work just fine.
If you are prepared to wait a while, you should see a load more in 2012……not to mention QWERTY WP7 devices also on the way from, amongst others, Nokia.
My one is still working very nicely!
Of course I am. Back to whatever good works you were doing then, just holler if you need setting straight again 😉
Seen the Motorola PRO+?
Oh that is good feedback!