The latest Gmail update for iOS comes with better Google Drive integration

Determined to not be closed off to Apple users, Google continues to make improvements to their apps in the Apple store.

In the last few days, Google has updated their Gmail iOS app for the iPhone and iPad to include some useful new features, especially for users of some of their other Google integrated services.

Gmail iOS App Fully Integrated With Google Drive

Google Drive, the cloud based file storage service, has been fully integrated into the Gmail iOS app for the first time. Attachments to emails received in a Gmail account can be automatically stored in a Google Drive cloud storage account rather than all being downloaded to the iOS device. This can save on precious internal storage, especially for iOS-based devices which do lack the convenience of insert-able micro SD storage options, like most Android devices do.

Large Google Drive Storage

The standard Google Drive account now comes with 15GB of free online data storage which is considerably more generous than other free cloud accounts - see comparison. This can be expanded further with premium Google Drive accounts with larger storage.

Emails With Google Drive Attachments

Create new email messages and directly attach files already stored in the Google Drive cloud. This again means that it is not necessary to have the file on the device already in order to attach it for sending to someone. Very handy.

Here are a couple of examples from the updated Gmail app. In the first capture, it shows how the user can attach a photo to their outbound Gmail email, attach a file directly from their Google Drive account or draw a quick doodle and attach it just for fun. In the second capture, the Car Mechanic Simulator Mobile 2014 image can be easily saved to your Photos, directly to the Google Drive or printed out.

Options when composing email	Options for email attachment

It is now also possible to choose which Google accounts will show up in Gmail and which will not. This can help to reduce email distractions during working hours which can be a substantial time sink for workers.

Lastly, the app can be used to access a Google account to make some edits. The main photo for the associated Google+ account can be changed for a different photo now using the Gmail app. This is a nice convenience to have without needing to hunt around for how to do it. If there is no Google+ profile associated with the Gmail account, then a prompt will appear to connect a Google+ account with the Gmail account being viewed at the time. After this is completed, the Google+ photo and Google+ profile will be associated with your Gmail account.