Gmail app returns to Apple App Store

Google's first Gmail app for Apple's iOS operating system has made a comeback on the App Store, a fortnight after it was released only to be yanked just hours later due to a bug.

"Two weeks ago, we introduced our Gmail app for iOS," said Matthew Izatt, product manager in a blog post Thursday. "Unfortunately it contained a bug which broke notifications and displayed an error message, so we removed it from the App Store. We've fixed the bug and notifications are now working, and the app is back in the App Store."

Google is "just getting started" with the e-mail app meant for Apple's iOS devices--the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch--and more features can be expected, Izatt added.

The new Gmail iOS app first appeared on the App Store on Nov. 3, but Google pulled the app on the same day after it discovered a bug. The company later apologized on Twitter: "The iOS app we launched today contained a bug with notifications. We have pulled the app to fix the problem. Sorry we messed up."

According to Google, users who downloaded the original Gmail app would have to uninstall or log out of the old app before reinstalling the newer app.

Incidentally, while the Internet giant released its first Gmail app for iOS, it recently announced it would end support for its Gmail app on the BlackBerry platform.