Palm VersaMail Compatibility with Gmail

There's been some discussion around Palm's VersaMail client being compatible with Google's Gmail. We wanted to clarify that currently Palm Treo and Centro smartphone customers can access their Gmail accounts using the POP email protocol. While VersaMail supports the IMAP protocol, there are some known incompatibilties and limitations with Gmail. For example, VersaMail does not support IMAP-IDLE, which is used by Gmail to deliver continuously updated email. For Gmail users on the Palm OS, there are aftermarket email solutions that support IMAP-IDLE on Treo and Centro like ChatterEmail.

-Jay Baik, Product Manager, Email

Comments

[MegaZone]

I can confirm that ChatterEmail works well with Gmail via IMAP, I'm using it on my Treo 680.

[Bill Taroli]

Which sort of raises the question... what have you guys done with Chatter since your purchased it? I'm still using the last release *before* Palm purchased it, and it's working wonderfully (in case you were curious). But I think we were all kind of hoping to see the end of Versamail by now. Well, for that matter, we were hoping to see Linux on the Treo by now... but that's a different thread. ;)

[twitch3]

IMAP gmail has issues with Chatter. Attachments aren't delivered and many emails arrive as gibberish. Since CE is no longer being developed, I'm guessing there isn't much chance of a fix?

[Josh]

I did a quick blog post explaining how to configure Chatter to work with Gmail's new IMAP:

http://blog.proud-geek.com/2007/10/23/gmail-now-offers-imap-push-email/

However, there have been some problems with formatting of emails being pushed to Chatter from Gmail -- even to the point where emails show up as gibberish. More info at:

http://blog.proud-geek.com/2007/10/30/problems-using-gmap-imap-and-chatter-on-palm-treos/

[Jerry]

I just got Chatteremail for my 700p (can't wait to change it to a 755p or a Centro when available from Verizon)since gmail started IMAP support. It works great. The only drawback so far is the battery drain. I have a 2400mAH battery and it gets real low by the end of the day. Thinking about getting a 3200mAH battery, but haven't yet due to cost.

[roman]

yet another indicator that Palm is behind the times... Google didn't even care about Palm and there is no mention of the Palm name anywhere in the gmail imap support.

I guess google knows you're almost dead too?

[Vince]

Will Versamail ever be upgraded to support Gmail's IMAP functionality?

While IMAP-IDLE is a nice feature, it's not the deal breaker.

I'd be glad if Versamail just worked properly with Gmail's IMAP feature.

Why is Versamail's implementation of IMAP incompatible?

[Davis W. Frank]

Gmail's mobile web view looks great in Blazer.

[Stefan]

Can you please advise when VersaMail will become compatible to GMAIL's IMAP? I really think this is essential.

Thanks.

[steve trebotich]

what about the older Palm units like the T3 and hotsync synchronization of Versamail. Are we forgotten?

[Steve]

Chatter is a far better e-mail client than Versamail. Please allow Marc to more fully develop it. Also - when will the Palm Exchange Active Sync (EAS) implementation also include tasks and memos and the ability to sync the ENTIRE calendar? Not being able to sync the entire calendar causes problems with other software which ties into the Calendar database. Scott over at www.moxsi.com had a product xChangeSync on which he has discontinued development. A Chatter + xChangeSync marriage would be really nice for PalmOS users.

[MDallas]

Gmail specifically says in the pop/imap settings that imap doesn't work with versamail, but Sprint does offer "Sprint Mobile Email" by Seven that does imap and pushes email to the device. And it is available on almost all the Sprint phones, although I only have tried it on my 755. And Seven may offer this to other carriers too. Their website is http://community.seven.com/forum/main.php

[Frank]

1) VersaMail is horrible. If you sync with a Mac you can't even remove accounts so if you no longer use an account you are stuck with it and then you hit the limit of accounts in VersaMail and the client becomes useless.
2) ChatterEmail blows VersaMail away. Palm bought ChatterEmail, everyone thought for that reason. Where the heck is it? Why aren't you including it by default on all Palm devices and fully supporting it?
3) IMAP-Idle is what makes IMAP blow POP3 out of the water.
4) The 3200mAH battery lasts well beyond the end of the day.
5) I'm sorry but unless you only receive a few email messages per day there is no way you can use the web to access GMail on your Treo.

[J]

I see this as a real problem --- there are no good email clients that support GMAIL IMAP. Versamail is for the most part non-functional in my testing, even ignoring the fact that it doesn't support IDLE (a somewhat irrelevant point by Palm since it doesn't work in many other ways). Hard to believe Palm suggested using Chatteremail because that too has bugs. Email is supposed to be a "killer app" for smartphones, so where is Palm on this???

[scott]

i, of course, was really hoping for a chatter + xChangeSync marriage also, ..but, unfortunately for moxsi, chatter will soon be married to EAS. i'm guessing it will probably be called something different though, ...probably "versamail". i would guess it will have the chatter UI with the VM SAM backend. i think everyone will be happy with this marriage, ..except for the poor and lonely xChangeSync.

[Ed Hardy]

You might take some solace in the fact that Google didn't pay much attention to Windows Mobile, either. Based on my testing and discussions with other users, any HTML formatted email sent through Gmail arrives in Outlook Mobile as an empty file.

[Bob-C]

Palm guys.... Please explain this to me....

The Centro is targeted at a demographic that are the same people who would be using free email on Google.

Palm bought Chatteremail which works with Gmail.

The success of the Centro is probably THE major key to Palm's livelihood over the next 18 months.

Why wouldn't you just package Chatteremail with the Centro?

I imagine there is some consideration that convinced you not to but.... The most important - and really only - thing that you should focus on is doing EVERYTHING possible to ensure the Centro is a stunning success. Any other consideration is irrelevant because failure - or even mild success - is not an option for Palm with this product.

It is pure folly to even fool around with this and not make the Centro fully compatible with Gmail. Can't your marketing people see a Sprint commercial with some young kids showing off their Centro playing music, taking pictures, watching YouTube and reading their gmail???

This should have been a very clear strategic and marketing call for you to make. You guys know me by now from my Treocentral 700p MR campaign. I know that you've been taking note of all the things I've been pointing out to you that you could be doing to improve your products. A lot of them you have been following up on and I commend you for that. But instead of having to read these posts of mine, ask yourself why didn't we think of that and then release another employee, please drop me an email. I would love to pick up Palm as a client on a consultant basis.

Look forward to hearing from you.

[kevin]

Another reason why this (700p) will be my last palm device. This is a complete joke. Between this and the firmware update debacle, palm's support for such expensive devices is disgusting.

[Peter Schwarts]

Chatter already has a beta version that works with Gmail. Check the chatter forums.

[DJ]

So what am I supposed to do if I just bought a Centro for the express purpose of being able to check all my gmail accounts?

I think you should have alerted customers to this problem, or made a compatible software available.

Now, I will probably be returning my Centro in favor of a Blackberry.

Ugh.

[Matty032]

Chatter has not replaced Versamail because it sucks with Exchange. Chatter does not work properly with GMail IMAP either. Problems with attachments. If you have Sprint, the best solution for Gmail IMAP is the FREE Sprint Email program. Works like a charm with Gmail IMAP. I wouldn't pay Palm a dime for Chatter.

[melodia]

Yipes! I just purchased a Palm TX!!
I am expecting to get email and other full service features!!
Should I put it back in it's box and ship it back?

[tom]

My 755p is my last palm device. I agree with the statements that a discount could at least be offered for Chattermail. $40 to get Gmail IMAP on my phone... forget it. I'll put the $40 towards the HTC Touch or an iPhone.

What a joke.

[Robert]

You can use the GMail mobile app for email on your palm. You need to install Java (from IBM site) and then you can download the Java Gmail app. Works great on my 680. You get all the gmail features.

For Chatter, see this post http://blog.proud-geek.com/2007/11/26/chatter-now-truly-plays-nicely-with-gmail-imap/#comment-20754
for instructions on setting up GMail. I have just started with Chatter, but they list is as a fix for the issues you seem to be listing.

i have a palm centro, i just got my sprint mobile email that i downloaded 4 free on my centro to work with gmail - imap.
it took about 2 tries but i got it to work.
the first just timmed out.
comment to tell me if this works for u guys.
i havent tested it yet, so it might not work like i hope and think it will. in that case ill just go back 2 pop gmail.

comments?