Google kills GMail Blackberry app

Saying it wants to focus on improving user experience for its Gmail email service in the mobile browser, Google is killing off its Gmail app for BlackBerry smartphones.

In an “end-of-life announcement," Google said it will end support for the native Gmail app for BlackBerry effective November 22.

“Beginning November 22, 2011, we will end support for the Gmail App for Blackberry (installed native app). Over this past year, we’ve focused efforts on building a great Gmail experience in the mobile browser and will continue investing in this area," it said.

Users may continue to use the app beyond Nov. 22, but Google will no longer support it or make it available for download by then.

On the other hand, Google said other products will not be affected by the end-of-life, adding only the download link for the Gmail app for BlackBerry is being removed.

Google Apps customers using Google Apps Connector for BlackBerry Enterprise Server will continue to be supported, it added.

A separate article on ZDNet UK said Google has not made clear whether it will also kill off the Android Gmail app in favor of the browser-based alternative. — TJD, GMA News