It’s only day two with my new Palm Pre and to say I’m a tad excited would be a huge understatement.

So far one of my favorite features is how it manages email – particularly multiple email accounts. This is a HUGE feature for anyone like myself who has tried to manage multiple email accounts for different personal and work related endeavors. I set up my primary Exchange email yesterday and within 2 minutes, my calendar, email, and 600+ contacts were completely in sync with the Pre!

I was even more excited today when I sat down to add one of my Google Apps email accounts. It turns out that the Palm Pre supports the IMAP IDLE protocol, thereby enabling “push” email with your Google Apps email, or any Gmail account for that matter. After a quick review of Gmail Help I was off to the races.

Getting Started

1. Click the email icon to open your email.
2. Click the “Email” drop down arrow in the upper left hand corner.
3. Select “Preferences & Accounts.”
4. Scroll to the bottom and select “Add An Account.”
5. Click the “Email” drop down arrow in the upper left hand corner again.
6. Select “Manual Setup.”

Palm Pre Settings for Push Google Apps Email & Gmail

Mail Type: IMAP
Email Address:

• Google Apps users – Enter your full email address (i.e. username@yourdomain.com).
• Gmail users – Enter your full email address (i.e. username@gmail.com).

Incoming Mail Server
Server Name: imap.gmail.com
Username:  Same as you entered for Email Address above.

• Google Apps users – Enter your full email address (i.e. username@yourdomain.com).
• Gmail users – Enter your full email address (i.e. username@gmail.com).

Password: Enter your password.
Port #: 993
Encryption: SSL

Outgoing Mail Server
Server Name: smtp.gmail.com
Use Authentication: Yes
Port#: 465
Encryption: SSL

Root Folder: leave blank

Updates

July 7, 2009

A few readers have provided additional pointers that I wanted to update this post with in case you don’t see them in the comments.

1. As Eric Marschall points out, be sure you have activated IMAP in the Settings of your Gmail or Google Apps email account. Eric also mentions that you may need to unlock the captcha.
2. Kyle and Doc both point out that you need to have Wi-Fi turned off when setting up your email accounts on the Pre. Especially if you are behind a corporate firewall.

Thanks to all visitors for your comments and additional tips…keep em’ coming!

Final Thoughts

I love the Pre. It’s so easy to set up and navigate. Managing multiple email accounts on the Pre is easier than doing so on my laptop. The ability to view and respond to email from “all inboxes” or one specific email account is a productive feature that is long overdue with all email clients in general (i.e. Outlook). I’m going to do some more testing this week and if all goes as planned, it looks like it’s time to say goodbye to the old Exchange server to deliver my critical push email and hello to more Google Apps email!

I heart you Pre!