Actually, the IMAP_IDLE command used for Push by most IMAP services is very easy on the battery, contrary to popular belief. Any of the Push systems is better than periodic checks.
True, but then you have Contacts, Calendar, Tasks etc, which do not benefit from an IDLE feature in their protocol.
Maybe it's my assumption, but multiple processes checking gmail would seem to use more battery than just 1.
Are you saying that using the Gmail app is more efficient than using a separate app such as AquaMail or K-9? Configured equally, any difference would be miniscule, totally insignificant. I'd bet on AquaMail being the stingiest.
Maybe it is apples to apples now, but when I was using the non native app a few years ago (moxier, k9, TouchDown) the consensus on many forums was that the native gmail app was much easier on the battery due to its proprietary push protocol. Maybe all the gmail compatible apps now use the same protocol.
Why not Gmail? I use that one to check all my other email too (Yahoo, corporate, etc). Push notifications, email alerts from selected labels, the whole bit. I haven't seen another email client that offers anything Gmail doesn't.
Perhaps less compelling if you don't already use Gmail. LOL It's hard for me to consider switching because I've lived in Gmail as my primary environment for 10 years now. I have a couple dozen labels and hundreds of filters. Do any other email apps support those? Because stuff just piling up in an inbox is a no-go.
That said, there are things I'd love to do that Gmail doesn't allow. I'd love much more formatting (even just italics would be great) and label management options. Do other apps to do that better? I'm really not so dedicated to Gmail that I'm not open to alternatives. Android is all about alternatives.
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