Google goes mobile with Gmail

Google goes mobile with Gmail

Google Inc. has introduced its new email service for mobile users, whereby users of Web-enabled handsets will be able to access their Gmail.

The Gmail Mobile service is free, save for the carrier data charges. It lets users reply with a voice call to persons, who are in their contact list, and also enables them to download their attachments which include snaps, PDF files and MS-Word documents.

According to Google, Gmail Mobile customizes automatically the interface based on a particular handset's features.

All Tier I carriers handsets, including those of Nokia, Motorola, Sanyo among others, can reportedly support this service.

According to the search engine giant, the service has the ability to automatically synchronize Gmail accounts. In addition, Gmail mobile comes with a unique "call to reply" feature. This enables a user, who has the phone number of an e-mail sender in the contacts list, to reply either through a text message or by calling up that person on phone.

Analysts had earlier complained that like other Web-based services, Gmail was not properly accessible from WAP enabled mobile phones. This has been reportedly set right with the user able to view the whole web page on his mobile phone.

Kelsey Group managing editor Greg Sterling said: “This is mobile e-mail for the rest of us, who have normal or tiny screens.” In addition, this would pave way for other related products of Google including Googletalk, voice chat and search engine services to be available on mobile phone, according to Sterling.

He added: “Gmail is now a kind of hub for Google. GoogleTalk and a range of personalized services are all tied in together through Gmail registration.”

Analysts feel that mobile is emerging as the new, virtual landscape and Google with it's new email service can leverage it with its ads and other services.

According to telecom analyst Jeff Kagan, all Web companies are aiming to extend their reach to the mobile phones, which as a communications device is next only to the TV and PC.

He said: “Companies like Google and Yahoo are entering the wireless Business Communication Tools from Sprint space because they know the future of wireless is much more than phone calls.”

As of now, this mobile e-mail service is only available for cellphone users in the U.S. at http://m.gmail.com.