Google offers “Go” variants of its most popular apps for lower power devices. This week, Gmail Go was quietly made available to all users to download, regardless of device, on the Play Store.
Update 10/9: Yesterday’s development appears to have been an accident on Google’s part. Just over 24 hours later, Gmail Go is no longer available for download on non-Android Go devices.
When visiting the list on a Pixel that was previously able to install the lite app, a warning appears in red “Your device is not compatible with this version.” Interestingly, the Go recommendation from the main Gmail client is still visible tonight. Ultimately, it makes sense for Google to pull out of this wider availability, but it’s still regrettable for users who have already participated.
Original 10/8: The Play Store listings for the apps are almost identical, but Google specifies how the Go variant offers the “Gmail you love, now lighter and just as fast.” That said, Google hasn’t updated the Go screenshots.
The only difference from the app icon is that there is a red “Go” badge at the bottom. Once launched, the apps are visually identical where everything is located and organized. Emails in the main list can be slid with customizable left / right actions, while there is support for multiple accounts and different inbox organizations.
However, there is no bottom bar as Google Meet has not been integrated into Gmail Go. It is unclear how Google Workspace will affect this in the future.
One of the other differences is that the UI elements are not raised. There are no layers and as such there are no shadows. By contrast, Gmail Go uses a white outline for the search field and elongated composition FAB, though it still shrinks into a circle as you scroll.
Also, the frame rate is clearly limited, resulting in a noticeable lag as you scroll and open the navigation drawer. This is presumed to be a performance optimization for devices with limited processor and RAM.
If you visit the usual Gmail list, the Play Store indicates how a “similar app” is available. This happened sometime this week, with the installation of Gmail Go on our various Android 11 Pixel devices in the US and Europe.
It matches the way other Go apps are also available to all users: Google Go, Gallery Go, Google Maps Go, and Navigation for Google Maps Go. Assistant Go and YouTube Go are now the only application that is not compatible with all devices.
Gmail Go may not make a lot of sense to be downloaded by non-intended audience users, but it’s nice that there’s an option available.
Thanks Michael, RKBDI!
FTC: We use revenue generating automobile affiliate links. Plus.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:
