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Google’s New Email App Wants to Save You From Your Inbox

1 minute read

Google launched a new email app called “Inbox” Wednesday that strips essential information from your incoming messages, displaying it in a stream similar to a social media newsfeed.

InboxGoogle

Rather than display messages by subject line, Inbox cuts straight to the body of your emails and attempts to prune out everything but the essential bits, such as flight times, event invitations and attached photos. A flight, for instance, will have your flight times clearly displayed up front without the airline’s preamble. The app can also draw pertinent information from the web, such as your flight’s status. The app also attempts to automatically populate to-do lists and calendar appointments, sparing you from copying the details, flipping to a new app and pasting the information into all of the related fields.

The question remains how well a machine can gauge “pertinent” information to a human user. Early hands-on demonstrations suggest an intuitive user experience. For now, only a select group of users will get to use Inbox by invitation only, who, in turn will be able to invite friends and collectively will decide whether this app will replace regular email for good.

PHOTOS: Inside Google’s New York City Office

A subway themed conference room where Googlers can video conference with other Google offices around the world.
A subway themed conference room where Googlers can video conference with other Google offices around the world.Eric Laignel—Google
A lounge and workspace in Google's Chelsea Market office where employees can get together for a meeting or relax on a lounge chair.
A lounge and workspace in Google's Chelsea Market office where employees can get together for a meeting or relax on a lounge chair.Eric Laignel—Google
Steel slides connect Google's two story lounge.
Steel slides connect Google's two story lounge.Eric Laignel—Google
A green themed micro kitchen emphasizes Google's commitment to sustainability.
A green themed micro kitchen emphasizes Google's commitment to sustainability.Eric Laignel—Google
Google's apartment themed conference room for those looking to “work from home” at work.
Google's apartment themed conference room for those looking to “work from home” at work.Eric Laignel—Google
Google's build-your-own desks that allow employees to completely customize their workspaces.
Google's build-your-own desks that allow employees to completely customize their workspaces.Eric Laignel—Google
Water tower seating in Google's aptly named Water Tower Cafe, one of five cafes at Google's New York offices that serve free food.
Water tower seating in Google's aptly named Water Tower Cafe, one of five cafes at Google's New York offices that serve free food.Eric Laignel—Google
The Broadway themed conference rooms on Google's New York City-themed floor.
The Broadway themed conference rooms on Google's New York City-themed floor.Eric Laignel—Google
A bookcase turns to reveal one of three "secret rooms" in Google's library.
A bookcase turns to reveal one of three "secret rooms" in Google's library.Eric Laignel—Google
Google New York's library, complete with books donated by employees.
Google New York's library, complete with books donated by employees.Eric Laignel—Google
The Google bridge across 16th street in New York City.
The Google bridge across 16th street in New York City.Eric Laignel—Google

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