Your example is wrong. Gmail offers standard email services that you CAN access via a proprietary Google app OR to a regular app. I use my gmail account with IMAP via Thunderbird. As long as IMAP access is offered, everything is fine.
As a word of caution: Should you ever lose access to your gmail account, you run into deep trouble. I currently can't access my gmail. I know the password, I have access to my backup email but it won't let me log-in except if I am able to confirm it on my android phone. And my US android phone is out of service. I have to fly to the US to get this working again (Google project fi).
As a word of caution: Should you ever lose access to your gmail account, you run into deep trouble. I currently can't access my gmail. I know the password, I have access to my backup email but it won't let me log-in except if I am able to confirm it on my android phone. And my US android phone is out of service. I have to fly to the US to get this working again (Google project fi).