Allowing you to authenticate against another SMTP server always seemed like such an easy win for them and I couldn't understand why they didn't just do it. But I guess I'm not the one supporting millions of people on my platform. :)
This makes GMail an even stronger candidate now to replace a desktop mail client in my book. Thanks, Google.
It's useful because if you're using Gmail to manage email from your own domain(s), and have a non-Gmail primary email address, now people receiving your email won't have to know that you're using Gmail. Often I would get people start using my Gmail account even though I was sending mail from my own domain's email address.
It would be time consuming especially if you have a lot of email, but it is possible. Set up your current account in an IMAP client like Thunderbird, download all the messages to local folders, set up the Apps account, move messages into that account.
I did that, and abandoned it in favor of regular gmail. Gmail for domains did not have (at that time - I don't know the sitation now) all the features of regular gmail and it had a fixed space quota.
Right. The first time I noticed the issue, I sent email to my landlord at the time (who was an older guy, a police officer and not all that technically-inclined). He saw my gmail username and somehow thought it was my last name. I thought I was sending him an email from "<firstname>@<lastname>.com"
But yeah, I don't care if someone can open up the headers and trace it back to gmail. I don't want (a) people getting confused; and (b) to have to reveal my gmail address every time I send mail with their client.
Another reason this matters: some places/domains require email to be directed through their auth'd SMTP servers. It means they can do things like sign all emails, or guarantee that all emails you send to people at the same workplace will be encrypted whenever they're transmitted over the public internet.
Allowing you to authenticate against another SMTP server always seemed like such an easy win for them and I couldn't understand why they didn't just do it. But I guess I'm not the one supporting millions of people on my platform. :)
This makes GMail an even stronger candidate now to replace a desktop mail client in my book. Thanks, Google.