(Image source: Google)
BY Christian Bryant
If you’re like me, managing an e-mail inbox is hard. Right now, I have more than 10,000 unread messages and who knows how many of those are marked “URGENT” or “PLEASE READ” — like this one… I haven’t read.
Well, Google introduced its new e-mail app Wednesday that seeks to make navigating those tons and tons of messages a little easier.
“We built Inbox, an Inbox that works for you.”
Okay, the name is kinda meh. But most writers are calling it Google’s latest e-mail reinvention, or revamp, and there’s even some talk of how it looks like a mix between Gmail and Google Now.
Inbox helps you organize your e-mails through features like Bundles, which puts similar message in a bundle, and Highlights, which highlights the most important information in your messages — like flight information or even times.
Bundling isn’t exactly a new feature. Google introduced customizable tabs in a 2013 update to Gmail.
But the Highlights feature is new — and there are a few more features that set Inbox apart from Gmail.
MATT MILLER VIA BLOOMBERG: “It’s supposed to work with a little bit of A.I., a little bit of artificial intelligence to act like a kind of personal assistant to help you deal with your e-mail.”
This isn’t Skynet-type A.I., but Inbox will categorize some of your e-mails for you and, as Geek reports, “Inbox even pulls in additional information from the internet that wasn’t included in the original message. You might see package tracking information in your Inbox account, then get an update when it has been delivered.”
Its uncertain if Google is looking to replace Gmail altogether with Inbox, but Google’s SVP of Android & Chrome Apps said on Google’s blog, “Gmail’s still there for you.”
Gmail has more than 500 million users and writer at TechCrunch suspects Inbox is experimental for the time being so not to turn off “longtime users.”
Google’s Inbox is currently invite-only and works on Android and iOS devices and Google Chrome. If you’re interesting in seeing what the fuss is about, you can send a message to inbox@google.com.
