Google revamps Gmail for iPhone, iPad; adds multiple account support

Computerworld - Google on Tuesday rolled out version 2.0 of Gmail for iOS, a redesigned upgrade that supports up to five email accounts on Apple's iPhone and iPad.

Matthew Izatt, Google's Gmail product manager, announced the update yesterday in a blog post.

Google introduced Gmail for iOS in November 2011.

Gmail 2.0 for iOS features a flatter UI that more closely resembles the revamped look of other Google properties and services.

By most accounts, the launch of Gmail 2.0 went much smoother than the original last year. Then, Google pulled the app from Apple's App Store within minutes, issued an apology and admitted it had "messed up" by shipping a flawed version.

The company re-launched Gmail for iOS two weeks later.

Most reviews of Gmail 2.0 were positive -- Wired said it "rocks," ReadWrite noted it "doesn't suck anymore" -- but a few chastised the upgrade for still seeming too much like the Web edition. The Verge called it "a frustratingly mixed bag" and "ultimately flawed."

Besides the new support for multiple accounts, Gmail 2.0 also beefed up integration with Google+, the company's Facebook competitor; sported a flatter UI (user interface) akin to other Google designs; and offered in-app RSVPs to Google Calendar invitations.

The new Gmail for iOS is a free download from Apple's iTunes-based App Store.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer, or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed . His e-mail address is gkeizer@ix.netcom.com.

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