Recently iLegendSoft updated two apps that I have recently reviewed “ Gmail Push and their Mercury Browser. Of those two, one is a worthy upgrade, and the other I had deleted before the day was over so I could reinstall the older version.
First, the good news: Gmail Push has more than just a cosmetic update with a new, yet slightly unflattering, icon. These major changes include:
- now you can now access your Gmail in landscape mode;
- customize the push notification to include or exclude a badge and the elements of your choice “ sender, mail subject, and preview;
- the integration of a web browser that allows multiple tabs (Mercury Browser I assume). That means not only can you navigate around Gmail, any link in an email will take you directly to the website without opening Safari. There are 6 unobtrusive navigation buttons (Forward, Back, Home “ which brings you back to the email that contained the links to begin with, Compose Mail “ a handy feature, Settings, and Display Tabs) that might bother left-handed scrollers since they are justified left at the bottom;
- for those concerned with the privacy of giving out your Google credentials, there is now a Forward Mode which allows you to receive mail notifications (see instructions).
Now the bad news: Mercury Browser 2.0 didn ‘t even make it a full day on my iPhone before being removed.
What was touted in the upgrade was a ‘redesign in user UI, and download files management. ‘ What was actually added was a splash screen (see top), a Stop loading popup box, and different navigation buttons images, one useful ‘Full Screen ‘ toggle, and one useless ‘all-about-Mercury-Browser-Pro ‘ in the bottom right corner (see above).
I have to agree with several of the latest reviews that stated that the free version removed certain functions (such as Private Browsing) and migrated it to a Pro- version that is currently unavailable in the App Store (and at the time of this writing, a 404 link on iLegendSoft ‘s website). Maybe I would have changed my mind with a little more time “ since I never utilized the Download Management feature “ but I was so irritated with the changes that I wanted my old version back.
If you never knew what you were missing, version 2.0 is still a step up over Safari. But if you upgraded and are as disappointed (or not), let us know!
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
TAGS: gmail, Gmail push on iPhone, mobile safari, push notifications, web browser
