Google revamps Gmail for iPhone, iPad; adds multiple account support

Google on Tuesday rolled out version 2.0 of Gmail for iOS, a redesigned upgrade that supports up to five email accounts on Apple's iPhone and iPad.

Matthew Izatt, Google's Gmail product manager, announced the update yesterday in a blog post.

Google introduced Gmail for iOS in November 2011.

By most accounts, the launch of Gmail 2.0 went much smoother than the original last year. Then, Google pulled the app from Apple's App Store within minutes, issued an apology and admitted it had "messed up" by shipping a flawed version.

The company re-launched Gmail for iOS two weeks later.

Most reviews of Gmail 2.0 were positive - Wired said it "rocks", ReadWrite noted it "doesn't suck anymore" -- but a few chastised the upgrade for still seeming too much like the web edition. The Verge called it "a frustratingly mixed bag" and "ultimately flawed".

Besides the new support for multiple accounts, Gmail 2.0 also beefed up integration with Google+, the company's Facebook competitor; sported a flatter UI (user interface) akin to other Google designs; and offered in-app RSVPs to Google Calendar invitations.

The new Gmail for iOS is a free download from Apple's iTunes-based App Store.