Swingmail is pushing hard into the new UX for the inbox. Abandoning many of the standard approaches, Swingmail has always been a bit on it's own. The latest version was featured as a best new app in the Japan Apple app store and was some welcome recognition for BHI inc who have been tirelessly working to bring something new and innovative to what is a very standard space.
The approaches it takes to mail are very radical and yet at the same time very intuitive. Functionalities such as grouping contacts together, muting or raising their importance are changing the approach to email of its users. At first not obvious to use the gains in efficiency are evident once users take a little time to think through the approach and get used to it. Removing the need to look at each individual mail separately, the app pulls contacts together into groups of frequential or topical relevance.
The user can then browse his mail in large chat formats removing the need to open each mail separately and instead framing mail in its appropriate context. The approach clearly is having an impact on users with a somewhat love and hate attitude to the app. BHI inc feel confident that the approach offers a strong new opportunity for users to improve their productivity through their app.
Either way that Apple Japan have featured the app is considerable praise given how far out of the ordinary this app is for its space.
