In a November 2 blog post Google Product manager Matthew Izatt excitedly announced that the new app "combined your favorite features from the Gmail mobile web app and iOS / iPad Cases into one app so you can be more productive on the go."

He added that the app is "designed to be fast, efficient and take full advantage of the touchscreen and notification capabilities of your device. And it’s one more reason to switch to Gmail" but after trialing the app the tech world was busy providing reasons why the new iPhone app was a disappointment.

TechCrunch complained that "the app is a mess. It’s unusable. It doesn't even launch properly, displaying an error message upon startup." Mashable commented that "[t]he app was not able to host email on the user’s device, and seemed little different from the interface you get when visiting Gmail on the Safari browser."

Mashable CEO and founder Pete Cashmore took to his Google+ account to add that "'Sorry we messed up' is the way apologies should be done -- it's shame more companies aren't this direct and honest. Makes me like Google a lot more."

Popular Mac OS X email client creator Sparrow capitalized on Google’s stumble by announcing it would soon release an iOS email app in the near future. Sparrow tweeted: "In a few months, you'll get the Gmail experience you deserve on your iPhone. Sparrow to the rescue!"

Google couldn’t confirm when its iOS Gmail app would be available in the App Store again but a spokesperson from the company told Relaxnews "We've removed the app while we correct the problem, and we’re working to bring you a new version soon. Everyone who’s already installed the app can continue to use it."