imho gmail's accessibility problem results from the goal to have a service that can compete not only with other webmail-services but with desktop-services such as outlook.

gmail aims at high usability for webbrowsers ("modern" ones) – but the prize is a lack of accessibility for other clients.

Thomas, you are right. Well, I for one would prefer if I had my accessibility back – back buttons, right-click open new window, check via Nokia cell phone – rather than some nice DHTML features (like ultra-fast speed, adding stars, and so on). Especially the lack of a working back button is incredibly annoying in every-day usage.