Setting up e-mail on Android

I have had 3 different Android phones so far, and I've always had some kind of problem setting up e-mail on each of them. The first Android phone I got, I created a new g-mail account just for that phone during the initial set-up of the phone. I downloaded gmail app from the Android market, and used it like that. Same thing on my next phone, except then I used an existing gmail account.

...now, on the new phone I got yesterday, I realized that you don't need to download the gmail app from the Android Market, but discovered that there is some kind of "native" e-mail built into Android. I had some problems with the configuration, not sure what setting to put where, but in the end followed this and got it working:

Configuring Android Device for IMAP | Google Apps at the University of Tennessee at Martin

I'm kind of surprised the e-mail set-up is so awkward in Android, and that it took me so long to realize that there's 2 different ways to run gmail on it (!!) :O

Is there any advantage to using the "native" e-mail over downloaded gmail app? And why put a gmail app in the Market if all Android phones have it built-in already?

 

No, I didn't try to snych anything with Microsoft Outlook. I can imagine whenever you have to mix 2 different companies versions of e-mail headaches will ensue. I guess RIM specializes in biz users and probably spent alot of time integrating BlackBerry with Outlook.

But it's weird that Google doesn't simplify the e-mail setup in Android in a better way. Why did it take me over a year and 3 phones to realize there's 2 different ways to do Gmail in Android? Why did I have to find instructions how to set-up IMAP on someone else's website? (ie: not Google or Androids!?) And what advantage does setting up Gmail with IMAP have compared to downloading the Gmail app? I think Android needs to make this a little smoother and clearer. Shame on you Android :nono:

 

I think I'm a little lost myself Charlyee
Did you not go thru these steps when you set up your e-mail accounts?
Android Setup

I got stumped on the IMAP and SMTP server settings, I had to search on Google for what to put there. When I used the Gamil app from the Android Market, you don't have to configure those things, I believe.

**edit**
oh, you did POP3, so I guess a little different steps, since I did IMAP. For that there was no server info set by default, just blank spaces. You have to find and enter the server info yourself.

 

Yankees: no, I don't think the "other" e-mail app is any manufacturer add-on, I think it comes stock in Android. ...altho, I have to admit I'm confused and not really sure about it.

Here's another "tutorial" about how to set up the e-mail in Android. You can see there's 2 different icons in the Android menu (first screen-shot). There is "Gmail" and also "e-mail". Normally, I did the Gmail, and that configures easily. But when you choose the "e-mail" icon, then you have to configure settings manually, even if it's a Gmail account.

Configuring E-mail Programs for CULink — Android Devices | ITS

-->>Notice two different icons: "Gmail" and "e-mail":



I guess "Gmail" is only for Gmail, and "e-mail" can be set for Gmail or other e-mail sources (ex: Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.).

...so I'm wondering, if you use Gmail, what's the difference if you use the "Gmail" app, or configure the "e-mail" to handle Gmail? What's the differences between the two?
.

 

No, that other "e-mail" app is on all 3 of my Android phones: T-Mobile G1, Motorola Milestone (unbranded), and SonyEricsson Xperia Play. I think it's a stock Android thing. Is there anybody reading this out there who has Android and not have that "e-mail" app installed?

 

I browsed quick in the Android SDK, and it shows there is an e-mail app built-in to Android:
Android 2.1 Platform | Android Developers

I'm assuming that's the "e-mail" app and not the "Gmail" app
...anyway, seems like most people use the "Gmail" app, since it configures itsself with no hassle. I'm just wondering which is better, or if there is even a difference at all And why does Google seem to push people towards the Gmail app, rather than the native "e-mail" one (..or well, maybe not "push", but as most people are using the Gmail app because it doesn't require searching for IMAP and SMTP values to input before it works)

 

Oh, found instructions how to configure the Android "e-mail" app for Gmail:
https://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=114408

Found it by accident, and no screenshots. Funny that "colorado.edu" provides better instructions (with screenshots) than Google does