Google announced today on the Official Google Mobile Blog that its Gmail app has been decoupled from the Android platform. This is great news, as from now on the Gmail application can be independently updated. The application will no longer depend on future Android releases or system updates in order to receive new features.
With that said, Google has updated the Gmail application for Android to version 2.3. Unfortunately, the version 2.3 of Gmail for Android is currently available to those with Android 2.2 Froyo. The new iteration of the application can be found in the Android Market.
As expected, the new version of Gmail for Android includes new features. They are:
- The ability to view quoted text, just as in the desktop version of Gmail. Users must tap “Show quoted text” to view previous messages
- The most important message actions such as “Reply” and “Star” will now stick to the top of the screen. Users can scroll all the way to the bottom of a message, and the controls will still be visible.
- Limited support for the newly introduced “Priority Inbox” feature, which up to now was available in the desktop version of Gmail only. Once the feature is enabled on a computer, the Gmail application on Android will show a new “Important” label with all of the priority messages.
Google indicates in an update to its post that the second feature is currently not working for HTC-made devices such as the HTC EVO 4G or HTC Droid Incredible. The company is working to resolve the issue.
To download the new version 2.3 of Gmail for Android, scan the QR Code below.