Gmail alerts

Has anyone using the Gmail app actually received any new e-mail alerts?  I have the option selected, but have not received a single alert.  Do I need to leave the app running & up full screen and just lock the phone, or suspend the app or what?

If I suspend the app but keep running in the background I receive new mail automatically.  There are no alerts however, and your battery life takes a definite hit.

I did the hack to allow applications to minimize, rather than suspend, when you hit the end key.  If i minimize the gmail app it keeps running and the background and refreshes itself automatically.  I can't remember the exact interval google said it checks for new mail at, but I remember seeing on their forums.  I have tested and verified that it automatically fetches my mail in this way.  What it doesn't do, unfortunately, is provide any kind of alert that a new email has been received.

Go to gmail settings and forward incoming email to your phone... not only will you get new email alerts.... they will be pushed to your phone.

forward to your_10_digit_number@mms.att.net or your_10_digit_number@txt.att.net

Your not going to get new email alerts from the gmail app. You'll always have to open the app to see your mail.

is the gmail app free when i accesss gmail from the browser it shows a gmail app dl but it says carrier charges may apply