The Ultimate Guide to Google Services using Windows Mobile

April 16, 2022 / By

This overview will explain your options when it comes to using Google services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Reader, Google Search, Google Maps and even YouTube – with your Windows Mobile device. Though the screenshots are specific to Windows Mobile 5.0 on a Smartphone, they will be similar for Pocket PC and Windows Mobile 6.0 devices as well.

Please note: This guide was originally published back in 2007. Quite obviously, a lot has changed since then – not the least of which is Windows Mobile no longer being in development. For those of you still using a Windows Mobile device – some of the suggestions and solutions in this guide are still completely valid – others are not. It has been updated where possible. This article is staying online as a historical/archived document, and should be treated as such.

It’s also worth noting that all of the services were downloaded and/or accessed without using ActiveSync once – so Mac/Linux users who own Windows Mobile devices aren’t left out.

  1. Google Calendar
    1. Web based
    2. GCalendarSync
    3. Using SMS
  2. Gmail
    1. Web based
    2. Google for Mobile
    3. Built in POP client – “Messaging”
    4. Other POP mail clients (Flexmail)
  3. Google Reader
  4. Google Search
    1. Web based
    2. Using SMS
  5. Google Maps
    1. Web based
    2. Google Maps for Mobile application
  6. Google SMS
  7. YouTube
    1. Web based
    2. Using Avot mV

Google Calendar

  1. Via web – just visit https://calendar.google.com. Works in Opera Mini 4 beta, I couldn’t get it to work in Mozilla Mobile browser, but could have been related to my phone. Sometimes requires you to clear the Internet Explorer Mobile cache and cookies before it displays correctly. Advantages: will always be in sync with the “normal” Google Calendar web view, because that’s what it is. Doesn’t require any download or special plugin. The links to Maps work and are helpful to access that easily. Disadvantages: doesn’t support reminders, doesn’t show upcoming events on the Today screen (which pulls events from the built in Calendar application).
    2. Google Calendar web view
    Google Calendar event, web view
  2. GCalendarSync – this is the solution I use Update: no longer in development.
  3. SMS Update: this may or may not still work. My guess is not.

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Gmail

  1. Via web – just enter http://gmail.com in your mobile browser and a working version of Gmail will appear. Advantages: will always be in sync with the “normal” Gmail web view, because that’s what it is. The Mobile view of Gmail is quite customizable, you can choose to display your inbox, or a combination of filters. The “save password” checkbox works – so you don’t have to enter your pass every time you visit Gmail (note: which may be a security issue for you to consider – it’s a feature I use, but only when I know and trust the network I’m connected to). Doesn’t require you to enable POP on your Gmail account. No download required. Disadvantages: no audio or visual indication of new email – you have to refresh the page.


    2. Gmail in IE for Windows Mobile.


    Gmail in IE for Windows Mobile.


    Gmail in IE for Windows Mobile.

  2. Google for Mobile Update: no longer in development.
  3. The built in POP mail app – “Messaging”. Advantages: it displays new messages on the Today screen. The setup includes a Gmail template, so the only info you really need is your user name and password (and you need to enable POP on your Gmail account). Disadvantages: I’ve yet to figure out a way to be notified of new emails aside from the Today screen entry changing the number of unread emails. It doesn’t sync with your Gmail account at all – mark something read on your “Messaging” version of Gmail, it remains unread in the web version.

    4. Screenshots:


    Dashboard Overview
    Dashboard Overview
      

    Dashboard Overview
    Dashboard Overview
      

    Dashboard Overview
    Dashboard Overview
      

    Dashboard Overview
    Dashboard Overview
  4. Flexmail Update: no longer in developement.

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Google Reader

Google Reader Update: Google Reader has been discontinued.

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Google Search

  1. Just bookmark, if you don’t set it as your Mobile browser home page – https://google.com. It will render properly based on your device.

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Google Maps

  1. Download the Google Maps for Mobile application Update: no longer in development
  2. Via web – just visit https://maps.google.com/ in your mobile browser. You may get a message about not using a supported browser, but most of the functionality will work in Internet Explorer Mobile (at least using Windows Mobile 5.0).
    3. Google Maps web view
    Google Maps web view 2

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Google SMS

Update: no idea if this feature is still working Some of the SMS features work in the US only, some work in the US and Canada, and others will work across the world.

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YouTube

  1. Via web – visit http://m.youtube.com in your mobile web browser. It should auto-detect your device and render a page that will be viewable for you.

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