Yes, I rely on Google a lot. From email, to Ingress, to mobile operating system, I am pretty well invested. Most of the stuff is good, and free is almost always awesome. Plus, the breadth of offerings just about allows you to forget the fact that YOU are the product.
Always. It’s (hopefully) a symbiotic relationship.
I use Android because of the customization options, and the fact that the Google ecosystem just works best on Android. Managing ten email accounts (six of them were Google Apps corporate accounts) underlined that fact for me.
Now, my email is down to a more manageable four… still all Google-based. I use the Gmail app, and mostly find it very functional.
Till today.
I needed to send in a signed document to someone. I got the app I needed to fill it out and sign it on my phone (my laptop has been away in repair-land ever since it did the skip and toss on the hardwood floor after an unfortunate impromptu wrestling match instigated by the kids… but I digress).
Anyhoo, I opened up the Gmail app, and found out there is no way to attach documents to emails. Pictures work; video clips work. But NOT documents.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
This irked me way more than it should have, I admit; in short order, I was able to find a few apps that fill in the gap nicely. But there are a few issues that are embarrassingly apparent. First, how had I never noticed this before? I’m an Android head, majestic in my geekdom. Right?
But more importantly to me at that instant was the dismay I felt at the design decision. I mean’ c’mon, Google. You’re the king of webmail. You mean to tell me that the share functionality is so limited?
But such is the nature of “free.” Most times, we are happy; sometimes, we’re steamed former Google Reader users.
In any case, the Gmail app is still my go-to app for Android. It’s getting better, so I’ll swallow my grievances. For now.
Bill Seybolt says
If you’re wanting to use the Google workflow, I’d save the attachment down to Google Drive. Then you can share it out that way. Otherwise, a mail client with Dropbox integration would work.
It’s becoming less about sending a file to a person and more about sending a person to the file these days, IMHO.
Eric Dye says
Good point. Plus, you have more control over the file in a sense. You can update and delete when you want.
Will Nuzum says
You can attach files with the Gmail app, just tell it you’re inserting a picture, but use a file manager app to select the file or document instead of a photo. It feels like they misnamed the option; it should just be ‘attach file’. I don’t have to do it often, but the few times I’ve needed to send a document from my Android phone, this has worked
Tre Lawrence says
Bill: good point. I don’t use Drive nearly as effectively as I could, and I love the point about sending folks to the file.
Will: yep, that does work. If I recall, I thought it only works with some file protocols?
Eric Dye says
Yeah. Gmail is a serious part of my workflow, but since the demise of the free Google Apps service, I’ve toyed with playing around with Outlook webmail.