Gmail iOS App Updated With Drawing Capabilities

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Google has recently launched an update to its official Gmail app for iOS. iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users now get to enjoy new features like custom signatures and a new drawing app right within the email client.

Google’s official release of its Gmail app for iOS has met with mixed reactions, with many decrying the lack of features present in other platforms like Android. Users have criticized what is believed to be a premature release, lacking features like multiple accounts, custom signatures and customizable alert tones. While Google has not yet been able to implement Android-like functionality in its iOS Gmail client, the latest version adds key features that are a big improvement over the first version.

New features include the following:

• Custom signatures for messages sent from iOS devices;
• Vacation responder;
• Improved label handling, with support for nested labels;
• Notification sound has been changed for iOS 5 users, to make the sound more distinguishable;
• New scribble feature.

Scribble is actually a feature unique to the iOS release of the Gmail client. The feature lets users send a quick sketch or graphic along with the Gmail message. The app is mostly a basic touch-based graphic tool with support for different brushes, lines, erasers, spray paint and colors. Scribble is likely to be more usable on the iPad with its bigger screen, although the same features can be enjoyed across all compatible iDevices.

Google is still working on other feature requests, though, including improved notifications, multiple accounts and the ability to define the “send from” name and address. The app works on iOS devices running version 4 up, including the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The iOS 5 variant has a few minor differences, particularly the notification sound and alerts.