Google takes Android and iPhone Gmail to the 'next level'

The new Gmail interface
The new Gmail interface

Google has announced changes to the engine that powers its online version of Gmail for mobiles, enabling users to interact with messages more simply and offering more offline options.

Based on the new HTML 5 standards, users of the Android or iPhone/iPod touch browser will be able to access their webmail even if offline, with the sending and receiving completed when connection is restored.

While this isn't a new option (the Gmail app for mobiles has been around for a while) being able to perform it in the cloud is a cool new addition.

Google has also promised that opening emails, navigating and searching through your inbox will be quicker, thanks to "aggressive caching and by leveraging new browser technologies, like HTML 5 and Gears".

Floaty Bar

The new floaty bar (we don't know why it's called that either) will also allow users to archive, label and delete messages easier than before, when a message is selected a bar pops up with a number of options and stays at the top of the screen.

However, searching through the mail still needs a scroll-a-thon, although this is now located at the top which is much easier.

Other changes are more cosmetic, such as easier to view labels and messages. If you're an Android user, then you'll be able to get your hands on the new upgrade now, and for you Apple-ites, you'll need iPhone/iPod Touch OS 2.2.1 or above.

Via The Official Google Blog

Gareth Beavis
Formerly Global Editor in Chief

Gareth has been part of the consumer technology world in a career spanning three decades. He started life as a staff writer on the fledgling TechRadar, and has grown with the site (primarily as phones, tablets and wearables editor) until becoming Global Editor in Chief in 2018. Gareth has written over 4,000 articles for TechRadar, has contributed expert insight to a number of other publications, chaired panels on zeitgeist technologies, presented at the Gadget Show Live as well as representing the brand on TV and radio for multiple channels including Sky, BBC, ITV and Al-Jazeera. Passionate about fitness, he can bore anyone rigid about stress management, sleep tracking, heart rate variance as well as bemoaning something about the latest iPhone, Galaxy or OLED TV.