When Gmail for iOS came out a few years ago, it failed to live up to expectations due to several missing features, and a broken user interface. However, the biggest problem was the lack of background synchronization, but that issue is no longer a thorn in the side of users with the new update.
The new app for iOS, Gmail 3.0, brings forth background synchronization, so users will no longer have to wait around to get their email messages. This is now possible due to a new background refresh capability found in iOS 7. This means the new Gmail app will automatically wake up and check for new emails.
"The app now fully supports background app refresh, which means your Gmail messages will be pre-fetched and synced so they're right there when you open the app. No more annoying pauses while you wait for your inbox to refresh. This feature requires iOS 7, and you'll also need to turn on background app refresh and notifications (badge or any other type) for the Gmail app," according to the Gmail blog.
If users want to receive Gmail notifications, they must first activate at least one notification in iOS 7 settings, which includes badge, banner, and alert. Furthermore, background synchronization must be enabled globally before Gmail 3.0 can pull off its magic.
Another feature Google has brought forward in Gmail 3.0, is two-step verification. This means when a user signs in to one Google official app, they will be automatically signed in to any other Google app opened after. It's a good thing, especially for those with hard to remember passwords.
"The Gmail app also now supports sign-in across Google iOS apps, including Maps, Drive, YouTube and Chrome. Sign in to one, and you'll be signed in to all (this also works for signing out). So you won't have to type in that 27-character password or retrieve your two-step verification code every time you navigate to another Google app. You may need to re-login after you update the app, but then you'll be all set," says the Gmail team.
