Mailbox has an ambitious goal: rethink mobile email. The free iPhone app, which is generating considerable buzz with its launch this week, is designed for streamlining one’s Gmail into a manageable workflow.

It arrives at a time when larger numbers of iPhone users seek an alternative to Apple’s uninspiring Mail app. This once sent people flocking to Sparrow. However, that app is now essentially retired given that the developers have joined Google. Plus, it lacked push notifications, which always was a major drawback to its utility as a go-to mail app.

After many lackluster attempts, Google has a solid Gmail app, though it still lags behind its Android counterpart. The timing is perfect for an application like Mailbox to finally create a benchmark mail client for the iPhone.

First, iPhone users should realize Mailbox only works with a Gmail or Google apps account. They will also need to sign up on the company website for a reservation. This is a good thing, however, as it allows the startup to manage server access and provide push notifications.

The design may be jarring if you are just looking for a Gmail clone. Instead, Mailbox includes four options to perform with each message, all based on gestures. Messages are snoozed or deleted based on swiping to the left or right. There is also some categorization customization available depending on if the emails contain content to be read or watched. The animations pop nicely – the current version feels more like a 2.0 release instead of a first effort. [Read more...]