Big Google user and interested in getting a better Gmail experience on the iPhone? You can use IMAP or set up Gmail as Exchange via GoogleSync in the Mail app to cover the basics, but you won’t get stars and labels. You can use Gmail.com to get stars and labels, but you won’t get iPhone Contacts integration, attachment viewing, or easy access to multiple accounts. For that you have to get a little more… creative. We’ll show you how after the break.

[Thanks to The Keith Newman for this tip!]

Putting Gmail.com in an app

Gmail.com is a great web app and, of course, really nails the Gmail experience. Since it’s not a native app, however, it can’t do everything a native app can. Enter Mailroom [iTunes link]. It wraps the iPhone-optimized version of Gmail in a native App Store app, creating a hybrid that’s almost the best of both worlds. It does cost $2.99 but for hardcore Gmail users it’s well worth the price.

While it does provide iPhone Contacts integration, attachment viewing, multiple account support, offline mode, labels, stars, threaded conversations, badging of total unread and new message counts, and everything else you’d expect, it doesn’t — yet — support push notifications.

Getting Push Notifications

Google Mobile App

Google Mobile app [iTunes link] is free and does provide push notifications for your Gmail account (and Google Calendar), including the ability to turn off sound notifications during certain times (like when you’re sleeping).

You can’t make Mailroom your default mail client but you can see the badge on Google Mobile and then tap Mailroom instead.

Boxcar

Or you can use Boxcar [iTunes link] instead, also free and a push notification powerhouse, and set it to open Mailroom when you get a Gmail alert.

What would be better?

Sure, it’s not the most straightforward or elegant solution, but until Apple provides more functionality in iOS Mail (like flags and mapping stars to flags!), or Google makes a native iOS Gmail app, it can be just the compromise you need to get more productive on your iPhone.

If you have any questions or any other Gmail tips to share, leave them in the comments!

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

Google Mobile App for iPhone has just added Google Goggles support. Goggles is the awesomely named camera-search based service that debuted on Android and lets you find information about something just by taking a picture of it.

In the new version of Google Mobile App just tap on the camera button to search using Goggles. Goggles will analyze the image and highlight the objects it recognizes — just click on them to find out more.

You can see how it works in the video after the break. It’s totally Star Trek, but it’s also still a work in progress according to Google:

Computer vision is a hard problem and Google Goggles is still a Labs product. It works well for things such as landmarks, logos and the covers of books, DVDs and games. However, it doesn’t yet work for some things you might want to try like animals, plants or food.

Get it, it’s hot.

[iTunes link, Google Mobile Blog via BGR]

We have good news for those of you not taking full advantage of Google Sync on your iOS device and prefer to use the Google Mobile App [iTunes Link - Free]. You will be happy to know that an update has been rolled out that allows for push notifications. You will now receive an icon badge that displays a message saying you’ve got new mail along with calendar event reminders that will appear on your home screen.

So now let us ask, do any of our readers actually prefer to use this application over Google Sync set up via Exchange?

[Google]

Every week a few of us from team TiPb, bloggers and forum crew alike, will bring you our current favorite, funnest, most useful App Store apps, WebApps, jailbreak apps, even the occasional accessory, web site, or desktop app if the mood strikes us. As long as they’re iPhone (or iPod touch) related, they’re fair game.

So who’s on deck this week and what are our picks? Find out after the break!

Chad’s Pick: Google Mobile App.

This application allows you to “ask” Google a search. The app will then translate your voice to text and search your question. The latest version of this app literally fixed the accuracy errors of it’s earlier self and so far has translated my queries flawlessly. If you haven’t given this app a spin yet you should! Hey, and it’s free! [Free - iTunes link]

Dieter’s Pick: Palm Pre

Okay, Rene I picked for him, since he lined up, so to speak. Dieter’s Palm Pre review has pretty much taken on a life of its own anyway, as has his video Q&A chat. But don’t worry, Apple takes the stage back on Monday — so enjoy it while it last fellas! [$199-ish - Web site]

James’ Pick: SBSettings (Jailbreak)

I am constantly toggling bluetooth and wifi on my iPhone. It is a hassle that Apple decided to bury the on/off switches deep within the Settings App. I like the quick access this to these and other toggles (3G, backlight brightness, airplane mode, KeepAwake, processes, iPod and even a quick calculator). Other features that make this a standout jailbreak app is the ability to hide icons, add a quick dock for apps and quickly respring/reboot the iPhone. Best of all its free! [Free - Get it via Cydia]

Leanna’s Pick: Nikon D90

I pick Nikon D90 because then I can sync beautiful photos onto my iPhone… [More $$$ than an iPhone - Web link]

[Ed: Um, yeah, okay. Enjoy the vacation Leanna!]

Matt’s Pick: Return to Mysterious Island

Myst & Zork fans rejoice! This awesome puzzle adventure combines the ideas of Zork and Myst together and is based on the “Return to Mysterious Island” novel by Jules Verne. The game is a combination of 360 degree panoramas that fade into each other as you move around the island (Myst part) You also have the ability to go abround the island picking up different items and interacting with objects & using them to get around the island or even using them in conjunction with other to do one task (zork part). The graphics in this game are very good and completely worth the price. Highly recommended! [$4.99 - iTunes link]

Rene’s Pick: Tweetie

I use other Twitter clients. Some for very specific tasks, some just for fun. But I always come back to Tweetie. It just fits what I want to do, a powerhouse for browsing and responding to tweets. And it works the way I imagine an Apple-built Twitter client would. Totally iPhone-like. [$2.99 - iTunes link]

Your Pick?

You’re part of team TiPb too, so what’s your pick? What app was your absolute fav last week? Let us — and everyone — know in the comments!