Since gmail is just email and already available over IMAP. I don't think they should be forcing consumers to use their gmail app just to get push. Even yahoo mail supported push on the first iphone via the built in mail app.
So far the gmail app isn't really offering anything compelling over the built in mail client. E.g. I don't think labels are a compelling reason to use a whole other application, that's a poor user experience, both options should be available, either as a separate app for those that don't use the built in mail app, or enabling push on their existing service so users aren't forced to tap around to another app just for another inbox.
If we're going to go about ransoming push notifications for a whole separate app, then I'd just scrap all of those separate apps and install Prowl (which interfaces with growl, so when growl receives a notification, it's pushed to your iOS device.) Prowl is a small price to pay to side-step this business strategy b/s.
So far the gmail app isn't really offering anything compelling over the built in mail client. E.g. I don't think labels are a compelling reason to use a whole other application, that's a poor user experience, both options should be available, either as a separate app for those that don't use the built in mail app, or enabling push on their existing service so users aren't forced to tap around to another app just for another inbox.
If we're going to go about ransoming push notifications for a whole separate app, then I'd just scrap all of those separate apps and install Prowl (which interfaces with growl, so when growl receives a notification, it's pushed to your iOS device.) Prowl is a small price to pay to side-step this business strategy b/s.