Quick Question on gmail app

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Sorry for such a silly question, but does the gmail app download the e-mails to the phone before I read them? I hope not.

The only other e-mail program I have used was Outlook for windows and that downloaded the e-mails before I read them.

the google apps version of it, is over the air using your data plan, on the browser

if you want to have it downloaded before hand, and not use air time data, then you'll need to sync it when you are connected to your computer, using the build in mail software, or you can use K9

check out this other topic, it might give you a better idea of what you can do with different email softwares
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=706541