Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#1

Post by danaw » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 4:49 PM UTC

I'm curious if anyone out there knows of a tool or service that can serve as a unified inbox for email, Facebook messages, Twitter mentions/DMs, text messages, IM, etc?

I've always wanted something like this but I'm not sure if the problem just applies to me or if someone else has solved this problem already.

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#2

Post by porter » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:10 PM UTC

Browser tabs?

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#3

Post by danaw » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:12 PM UTC

porter wrote: post #2

Browser tabs?

The idea would be to have something with a bit more sophistication. Associating contacts on multiple platforms into one thread. Reply to people on multiple platforms from one location. Having a conversation trail with each person on multiple media.

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#4

Post by DorianMarie » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:13 PM UTC

I never saw it but I think that would be a really good idea, I would love to "archive", "mute" and my facebook wall, twitter, etc... If that could work as GMail that would be perfect.

I'm the kind of reading every post on Twitter and Facebook and unfollowing/muting people that post too much useless things so that would be perfect for me.

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#5

Post by sp332 » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:16 PM UTC

Something like Trillian could work. https://www.trillian.im/ It's more of an IM client but it includes email integration.

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#6

Post by GrinningFool » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:18 PM UTC

I think we call 'em smartphones. THose are the only things I know of that give a unified inbox view: at least for WP8 and BB10, they tie in contacts and conversations across mutliple social and email platforms and give you combined views.

However, you raise a good point - a nice cross-platform solution for desktop use would be a great thing to have. It's kind of odd that it's been done so well for phones, but barely touched for desktop.

One problem related will be the constant influx of 'services that may be interesting', with disparate APIs - any solution should have a good plugin system.

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#7

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:19 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Inbox for everything?

#8

Post by kingnothing » Thu, Oct 10, 2013, 5:20 PM UTC

If you're looking for a business solution, try something like Desk.com. It doesn't handle text or IM, but it works well for email, Facebook, and Twitter.