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Google started supporting IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) e-mail messaging in its Gmail e-mail application a few months ago. Many Windows Mobile users ran into problems with the new IMAP setup, however. For instance, when some went to read HTML-formatted messages on their smartphones, the e-mails appeared blank.

Today, we've got some good news: Google has fixed these issues.

Those who have already configured their Windows Mobile device to receive IMAP-based Gmail don't need to do anything to their setup to benefit from Google's fixes. They are implemented automatically.

If you would like to take advantage of IMAP in Gmail but haven’t already, head over here for step-by-step directions on how to configure to do so. The instructions are only for Windows Mobile 6 devices.

At this point you might be asking yourself, what's the big deal about IMAP?

Well, unlike with standard POP-based webmail, IMAP automatically synchronizes messages and folders between a user's e-mail account and mobile device, making e-mail management a whole lot easier.

Add a folder to Gmail on the desktop and it'll automatically appear on your smartphone and visa versa, for example. Delete a folder, delete an e-mail, place a message you’re composing in your draft folder and the same type of automatic mirroring will take place.

Google's has also posted instructions on how to setup IMAP with Gmail for other mobile platforms - including for BlackBerry, iPhone, and Symbian - and desktop e-mail clients as well. They are available here.