Partial Push Email for Iphone (for Gmail users) | Phone/Device Issues and Features | Consumer forum

Using SO UMB with 3G cellular data turned on, the built-in Mail App will not push email even if wifi is available. I think this is because the built-in Mail App is stuck on using 3G cellular data for push notifications regardless. Since push notifications needs TCP port 5223, it will not work over SO UMB,

However, the Gmail App push notification works with wifi, even with 3G cellular data turned on. I am guessing that the Gmail App somehow knows to choose wifi over cellular data for push notifications. That's the one difference with the built-in Mail App and the Gmail App. Unfortunately, when I am on the road without wifi, Gmail push stops working. Fetch is not an option on Gmail App either.

So here's what I have done on my iphone 4s with SO UMB. Use both Apps!
(1) Configure built-in Mail App to fetch every 15 minutes
(2) Configure Gmail App to same account

Benefits:
So now when I am connected to wifi (at home, work, Shaw wifi hotspots, etc) I will get push email notifications. When I am on the road without wifi, I still get my fetch email checked every 15 minutes.

Down-side:
When on wifi, if new emails pushed by Gmail App are not checked after a certain time, the Mail App will still continue to fetch, resulting in double notification/banners/alerts. The Double banners or notification sounds for each email doesn't bother me, and I can also just customise the gmail app not to have banners/alerts and only have the notification sound, etc.

I am happy to get partial push email back. Not the most elegant solution but works for me.