Big step in wrong direction

As others have commented, this new version has broken or removed some key functionality, making it a less useful communications tool.
Signatures no longer sync with gmail web interface, and dont support HTML, so corporate branding fails.
Limited options for how to open and work with attachments.
Doesnt access iOS contacts.
You cant select text or place cursor in quoted message when replying, so no interspersed responses.

As a GSuite customer Ive put in tickets with Google Support. The response has been poor they keep saying their engineering team is working on a fix and it should be in place within a week or so. They then later send an update saying its a more complicated issue and a fix isnt expected until later. End of January is now the target.
Ive asked for access to the older version in the meantime (they could do this through Apples TestFlight developer tool or by releasing the older version as a different app) but they have not been willing to do so.
Very frustrating. I question their development planning and process, as the released product is just so bad.
I do like the fact that click to call now works.

jgruman about Gmail - Email by Google, v5.0.6