Looks like Google isn’t abandoning the platform just because of minor problems between their top execs. Google has enabled free Push email for iPhone users, along with the previously available Push Calendars and Push Contacts. It’s almost a free MobileMe account (for PC users at least).

Setting up your iPhone is easy. Tap into your Settings app » Mail » Add account » MS Exchange. Then (copied from the instructions page):

1. In the Email field, enter your full Google Account email address. If you use an @googlemail.com address, you may see an “Unable to verify certificate” warning when you proceed to the next step.
2. Leave the Domain field blank.
3. Enter your full Google Account email address as the Username.
4. Enter your Google Account password as the Password.
5. Tap Next at the top of your screen.
6. (Choose Accept if the Unable to Verify Certificate dialog appears.)
7. A new Server field will appear. Enter m.google.com.
8. Press Next at the top of your screen again.

You can then choose which of the three services you enabled, and send yourself an email to test it out.

The google exchange servers however appear to be snowed right now. I sent an email to a MobileMe, a ‘regular’ gmail account, and the same Gmail account set up for Push. MobileMe was the first to buzz, followed by Gmail. The Push account however never buzzed. I then checked the account manually and it finally seeped through. That was a while ago—now it refuses to get any email. I’m sure this problem will get ironed out soon enough.

The other problem, is that you can have only 1 exchange account set up on your iPhone. This means if you already have a corporate account set up, you’re out of luck for Push on your Gmail. There’s no way to know if and when Apple will allow multiple exchange accounts.

We’ll be looking into some more options soon…