Gmail Mobile App is Great, but doesn't Work on My Phone

Lately when you're accessing Gmail via webmail interface, I'm sure you have noticed the image as shown above, a Java application to access Gmail on mobile devices.

I'm a frequent user of Gmail mobile (http://m.gmail.com), which is a light weight version of Gmail webmail interface tailored for phone's web browser. Everytime when I need to access Gmail while on mobile, I will just point my phone's browser to http://m.gmail.com.

When I saw the advertisement of Gmail mobile application, I was extremely tempted to try it out. After all, this is a richer client comparing to accessing the webmail. When the common controls and UI components are stored locally in the mobile device, I'm expecting the access to be faster.

So, immediately, I went to http://m.gmail.com and click on Get Faster Gmail Now, to download the 113KB Java application. The download over Maxis GPRS was fast, and completed within 5 to 6 seconds.

After installing the mobile application for Gmail, I excitedly launch the application, type in my username/password and hit enter.

Sorry, the Gmail mobile app will not work on your phone. Your phone doesn't have the appropriate certificate to communicate with Gmail. Try accessing Gmail on your mobile browser at http://m.gmail.com.

Ah doi~~~~~ what's going on??? Are you telling me that, I can only install the Gmail mobile application, but can't use it at all? Just install it for the sake of fun?? Can see cannot touch? *sigh*

So, as usual, I Google-d around, and found a piece of very good information at Google Groups, which explains how the certificate needed can be manually installed in mobile device. According to the group discussion, all you need to download the certificate, is to access the URL https://www.verisign.com/cgi-bin/support/rootcert/getrootcert.cer. From on the respondents' feedbacks, installation of this Verisign root certificate solves the above error in a number of mobile phone models, such as Nokia 6111, Nokia 6280, SE K600i, SE W700i, SE K750i and SE Z800i.

I'm using a relatively out-dated SE K500i, but still I tried my luck. But, again, it doesn't work for me. An error message of "invalid certificate" was returned. Hm.. wonder if SE K500i is properly supporting SSL standards.

Anyone has any similar experience to share?