Google this week released an update to its Gmail for iOS mobile apps, making it easier for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to stay organized.
The upgrades, however, focus mostly on the tablet version, with its large screen and added room for multitasking.
'If you hold your iPad in landscape mode, you'll immediately notice the new left hand navigation bar, which allows you to quickly switch between inbox categories, or between multiple accounts, with a single tap,' software engineer Carmen Wilkinson boasted in a blog post.
By default, the app opens directly to the unread folder, an Inbox subcategory kept separate from the everything folder, where all inbox emails — read or unread — are housed. The iPad version also includes colorful message counters for each category, including inbox, groups, and offers, to help users sort through emails more quickly.
For a more focused experience, hold the tablet in portrait mode to get a full-screen look at individual messages and message threads.
Some of the same functions are available to iPhone and iPod users, including the unread and everything folders. Small-screen users, however, will not find the same bright category notifications or the convenient side navigation bar.
Additional app improvements include scrolling performance and additional space to compose messages in full screen.
The updated Gmail application is available now for free download in the Apple iTunes Store.
Earlier this week, Google expanded its quick action button service, and launched the ability to view and save attachments directly to Google Drive. The latter, which allows users to view attachments and save them directly to Google Drive without leaving the app, is also available on the iPad.
These new features roll out as Google gears up to face wiretapping charges over Gmail scanning.
For more, see PCMag's review of Gmail for iPhone and the slideshow above.
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