[AM1010101]

I've had the gemini web app in a safari embedded browser tab for 6+months its worked great as a local app. (M1 Pro base spec) I set Super + C set to open it.

First impressions of the native app: I think I will save RAM and it will be faster - Cool. Download, install, sign in - Easy. Change the keyboard shortcuts - Simple. cmd + N to open a new chat - better than cmd + shift + O in the web app.

Back to work, a few moments pass.

super + C - ... wait ... there is a noticable delay in opening the app?

Maybe try the new mini chat? - Same delay 800+ms?

Thats annoying, every other app on my mac switches instantly?

Why is this slow? The delay long enough that you break my flow and make me think spending the RAM is worth it for the old web version? Whats the point of native if its slow?

Second grip - the text layout is too wide to read comfortably. At least give me the option to put it in a more narrow layout. I use every app full screen so reading text across the full width of my screen is pretty awkward.

Anyway I'll give it a go and see if it grows on me but right now the web app feels more polished and responsive so I will likely switch back.

Edit: typos

[AM1010101]

Im just replying to my own comment to praise the team for the latest update. They have fixed the speed issue and the text is now a sane width on my screen.

Well done and thank you.

If I was to ask for more there are a few things that Claude and Codex are doing better on. Way more integrations / skills. I wish I could use MCPs and skills here. Modern design and feel too. This design, while native, feels very outdated

[llbbdd]

Why would it save any RAM if you already have a browser open where it just eats the cost of an extra tab? I haven't used it but I'm assuming it's electron or similar and not actually "native"

[AM1010101]

I was essentially installing the web app as a PWA. Why? This allows me to set a deterministic keyboard shortcut to open gemini, in my case super + C, as if it were a native app. Downside is that it eats some ram. I haven’t benchmarked this I have no idea how heavy on ram this really is. FWIW I’m fine spending ram on this if it improves my workflow, which it does.

[HelloMcFly]

The Windows app doesn't always (or even usually, in my experience) stay synced with the webapp, so I only use webapp now. Wondering if the same will be true for the Mac app.

[toinewx]

same experience here, way too slow compared to the web app