Live data from Hacker News

Google is discontinuing Inbox

fastcompany.com

101–110 of 459 posts

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The ability to mark emails as done or to pin them were hallmark features of the Inbox interface and they both take significantly more work in Gmail. I'm severely disappointed that they've decided to axe Inbox without at least pretending to care - by eg. providing a user survey.

Oh no, pinning! I've so thoroughly integrated that into my expectations and behavior that I didn't even think about it.

I don't use Inbox -- what does pinning accomplish?

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#102
post #90
post #64

> Outside of some of the bundling features Bundling (in the inbox) is THE reason for using Inbox. It's the only unique feature. It's the thing that changed how I use email. If I use folders it's the kiss of death for any email that a rule sends to that folder. I want a single list but with some items collapsed. Email went from unthreaded to threaded (reducing the complexity massively. Bundles takes that one step furt…

Doesn't simple tagging solve all the same problems?

Tagging requires constant manual intervention, I gave up trying to use tags years ago.

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#103
post #45

I'm actually thinking of switching to a different email service because of this. Gmail is just way to cluttered for my taste, inbox's model where you can just check off emails and they're gone was such a time-saver and a fresh breath of air. I hope I can find something as simplistic and at the same time feature rich somewhere else :(

I've wanted to for a long time;Inbox put that on hold because it made my email manageable again. Clearly it's time to start looking for alternatives again.

What alternatives are there, similar to Inbox?

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#104
post #3

Google's ADHD with products strikes again. It's really hard to get excited over new Google offerings because they just go away when Google gets bored of them, time and time again.

It's likely not google get bored, but users didn't adapt product on large enough scale.

It is a cycle. Google drops a product due to low uptick, so users don't take on further products. There are three products that I can think of that have lasted: search, email, ads (which is search, really).

[edit] oh, and maps!

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#106
post #64

> Outside of some of the bundling features Bundling (in the inbox) is THE reason for using Inbox. It's the only unique feature. It's the thing that changed how I use email. If I use folders it's the kiss of death for any email that a rule sends to that folder. I want a single list but with some items collapsed. Email went from unthreaded to threaded (reducing the complexity massively. Bundles takes that one step furt…

Snooze is the main reason I've been using Inbox.

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Outside of bundling Bundling is the main development that Inbox brought to the table.

Going to the video tape: https://gmail.googleblog.com/2014/10/an-inbox-that-works-for... Three things are highlighted: Extraction of info from items and display (now in gmail) Bundles (some made it into gmail) Reminders, assists, and Snooze (now mostly in gmail) So i'm not sure i'd agree with you here, but i definitely would agree that of the big three, bundling made it in the least :)

> Bundles (some made it into gmail)

Where? “Categories” were in Gmail before Inbox, but there still doesn't seem to be any way to get them bundled in the inbox the way Inbox’s primary display does, though you can set them as separate inboxes.

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#109
Well thanks Google. You just made the necessary transition into MS Outlook land so much more easy.

My company got bought and I need to switch into MS land. Sadly. But my biggest complain was to loose my workflow from Inbox. Google killing this just kills one argument from my list. Sadly.

I like the UI. I really, really like the reminders and the bundles. And the ability to postpone a message to see it as new some later time was a big boon too.

I know - lot's of that is already in Gmail. But the UI is just so... not there. Well. Again - Google killing a great product that only a minority of people are using. It is not that nerds matter.

Re: Google is discontinuing Inbox

#110
Inbox changed my relationship with email and it is unbelievably frustrating to hear it is being shuttered. I was a better digital person because of the app: I never forgot to reply, I kept years of ideas and small notes in reminders, and I could quickly triage and clear all incoming mail.

These things in particular made Inbox stand out:

* UI - simple, uncluttered mobile and desktop experience with uncomplicated keyboard shortcuts. It even had the little things like a satisfying sun animation when your inbox was empty! Desktop Gmail has a surfeit of widgets and add-on icons that perplex, distract, and confuse.

* Bundles - especially for trips: all the relevant emails I needed, in one place—unbelievably useful while traveling. All tickets and information aggregated automatically (and if not, easily added manually).

* Reminders / Compose access - fast interface for creating small notes and mailing frequently contacted people. No reminders equivalent in Gmail (Tasks are available on Desktop but not mobile) and the mobile compose on Gmail is a blank email.

* Pinning - sticky a reminder or email for easy access and reference later. I guess gmail's equivalent is marking as important or moving to inbox?

In any event, if any of the Inbox team are reading this: big THANK YOU for creating a revolutionary product that was a joy to use. I already submitted feedback through the app wishing it would continue but if there is anything further I can do please share how!

Post reply on HN