You may have noticed the feeding frenzy on Twitter last week as over 500,000 users jumped on the bandwagon to download Mailbox for iPhone, a new take on email and productivity using Gmail’s platform.
When I got in line early on Friday morning there were nearly 7,000 people queued up ahead of me. For those of you still anxiously awaiting your turn to experience the awesomeness of Mailbox let me assure you, it is worth the wait.
[tentblogger-vimeo 54553882]
Reservation Rollout
For starters many people are frustrated with the reservation rollout Mailbox used for deployment. I confess to being a little annoyed, but the folks at Mailbox had a valid reason for this tiered approach.
From the Mailbox website:
We’ve designed the Mailbox service to scale indefinitely, and have done as much load testing as we can. But we don’t know what we don’t know, so we’re using reservations to add people gradually.
Mailbox goes on to promise that as the service grows the rate of adding new users should increase. Contrast this strategy with the recent abysmal launch of Wunderlist 2 that was plagued by server outages, bugs and app failure. Once you reach the front of the reservation line Mailbox aims to make your experience smooth, seamless and successful. This is a bit of a larger scale application of the “measure twice, cut once” axiom and makes for a more effective user first impression.
Initial Launch
Upon opening Mailbox for the first time the user is greeted with a welcome message and prompted to log into their Gmail account to authorize the app to access the appropriate information. Once this step is complete a brief interactive tutorial introduces the user to Mailbox’s functionality and gestures. I found this process both efficient and informative as seasoned iPhone and Gmail user.
Productivity
The genius of Mailbox lies in its simplicity and fresh approach to GTD (get things done) methodology. Like a double-edged sword Mailbox equips the user to create an email strategy that eliminates distraction and increases productivity.
The inbox is where messages first land and Mailbox guides the user reach “zero inbox” by taking immediate action to reply, archive or postpone a message to address it later.
Too often email is distracting because we compulsively check it for to-do items, but fail to take action. The “Later” feature of Mailbox is by far my favorite. Marking an item for “Later” lets the user specify from 7 options (or a custom date) when the message will return to the inbox for action.
- Later Today
- This Evening
- Tomorrow
- This Weekend
- Next Week
- In a Month
- Someday
By scheduling an email for “Later” Mailbox effectively frees up space and the user’s mental capacity to decrease the distraction of a full inbox. Also, the time settings for the 7 options above can be customized.
Whether you’re a seasoned GTD ninja or daily drown in a deluge of email I think you will find Mailbox a breath of fresh air.
Blake says
I’m currently around 700K in line. Is there hope that I’ll make the front of the line?
And I use the regular mail app that comes w/ my iphone right now.
K.C. Procter says
Of course there is hope! 🙂 The rate of adding new users has increased and will continue to scale over time. You won’t be disappointed.
I used Sparrow for iPhone previously and it served a purpose, but I’m really enjoying Mailbox.
Darius says
I signed up a LONG time ago and I was around 16k and change in line… while waiting, I saw the waiting list jump from 200k to over 600k.
I will second you on whether it’s worth it or not… it’s totally worth the wait!
K.C. Procter says
Glad didn’t have to wait too long, Darius. What’s your favorite feature of Mailbox?
Darius says
Not sure… I really like the fresh workflow if offers…
I don’t really use my iPhone to send emails, but to read and file them away. I like that I can basically hit snooze on something that I want to review that night when I’m back home and can respond.
K.C. Procter says
I’m with you. I don’t compose many emails via Mailbox (or any iOS app), but the ability to organize for action later frees up a lot of brain space. I find that I check email much less often.
Darius says
Not only do I check mine less often, but making the decision of what to do with it had become much quicker.
Oh, and I love the lists feature in the app too.
Carlos Sandoval says
I started at being around 280,000 in line. It’s now at 199,752 four days later. I was wondering this today if it was worth waiting for. Now I’m more anxious to try it out.
K.C. Procter says
Hang in there, Carlos. The line is moving faster and faster as Mailbox tries to scale the service to new users. You’ll be glad you did.
Ben Terry says
I’ve been using Mailbox for a couple of days now and it’s more of a method to manage email rather than an app. I say that because it causes you to rethink how you currently manage your email.
I’ve been using this method from Matt Perman and I find it extremely helpful with the Mailbox app too.
http://www.whatsbestnext.com/2008/11/how-to-get-your-email-inbox-to-zero-every-day/
K.C. Procter says
That’s sweet you were able to jump into Mailbox early. I agree w/ you that it’s a great app for implementing a better approach to email or simply building on a strategy you already use.
Way to be an email ninja.
Eric J says
I’m pretty happy with it so far it is actually in my dock, i also signed up a long time ago so i was at number ~48,000.
K.C. Procter says
Wow! Dock worthy, huh? Nice. I haven’t had any mail app in the dock for awhile, but might reconsider it w/ how well Mailbox integrates into my workflow.
What is your favorite feature?
Reba says
I have been using it for a few days. I wish I could add multiple accounts though. I think it could be great but still has a ways to go.
K.C. Procter says
Multiple accounts you say? Never fear. From inside the app follow these steps:
1. Tap the 3 bar Menu icon in the top left
2. Select “Settings” near the bottom
3. Under “Email Accounts” tap “Add account…”
4. Follow the prompts.
Boom! 🙂
What else would you like to see in the app?
Harley says
I love it. I was at just over 20k in line and it only took a day to get in. The best part is that it makes you do something with the mail or it just leaves it as new. My only compliant is that there is no desktop version.
K.C. Procter says
I love getting to #inboxzero on a regular basis. I could see a browser plug-in that will sit on top of Google being developed in the future.
Adam Shields says
I signed up on Saturday or Sunday. I am still at 501,411 in front of me and nearly 300K behind me.
I am ready to try something else. My gmail app crashes about 15 times a day.
K.C. Procter says
That’s quite the line. Don’t worry. The user experience will be worth it. I promise.
I’m with you. The Gmail app stinks.
Carl Franzon says
Reserved mine a while back. Didn’t know it was available. Got it installed but can’t make it work; keep getting error after clicking to give Mailbox permission – “Mailbox is having trouble authenticating. Make sure you have a network connection and try again.”
Carl Franzon says
Just saw on the website that there are sync issues. Will stay tuned.