Signatures and improved delete options on the way to Inbox by Gmail
The Inbox by Gmail app was an attempt by Google to start re-thinking the traditional mail client and how users maintain control over their incoming email. Despite a lot of positive buzz at launch, users quickly discovered several limitations and sizable numbers went back to the Gmail client. New information shows the development team is working on at least a couple of the more critical issues that troubled users.
In a thread on Google+ regarding reasons for users not making the jump to Inbox by Gmail, the development jumped in with their official account to comment,
“We’re working on both Signatures and Delete. Pin and Snooze are both designed to replace mark as unread.”
The lack of signatures to be used when composing email messages is a big problem for users, especially for anyone using Gmail for a business or organization. Adding a signature feature will be welcome relief for all the users looking for that.
Another big gripe has been the difficulty in deleting email, especially bulk deletes. Making this function easier will probably help entice lots of users to give Inbox by Gmail another look.
Sources have noted that based on the response from the development team, a traditional “mark as unread” feature will not be available. Instead, users will be expected to use either Pin or Snooze if they are going to want to revisit an email later.
Would you consider trying Inbox by Gmail or taking another look at it with these changes?
source: MobileSyrup
Come comment on this article: Signatures and improved delete options on the way to Inbox by Gmail
Unorthodox Sprite drone tolerates abuse and actually flies
When you picture a consumer drone, something bulky with four or six props à la DJI probably pops to mind. But the folks behind a new model on Kickstarter think that such UAVs have two big problems — namely, they’re hard to carry and break easily if you mess up. They built The Sprite to overcome those limitations with a cylindrical, waterproof body and retractable blades. The design makes it easy to throw it into a pack, and when landing, the rotors halt in a half a second and fold into a retracted position. From there, the craft can safely alight on rocks, a bush or even a swamp without issues.
Though the design looks more toy-like than something from, say, 3D Robotics, Sprite is actually targeting pros. It has fully autonomous flight using waypoint navigation and “follow me” modes, along with a built-in 1080p camera (with optional 3rd party FPV) and a 2-axis stabilized gimbal. You’ll also get a GoPro compatible 2-axis gimbal that can be swapped without tools, and control via a smartphone, tablet, or optionally, an R/C transmitter. The current flight time is around 12 minutes with the LiPo batteries, but the makers are striving to improve that before it ships.
At $799 sans transmitter, the Sprite is targeting the mainstream semi-pro market. You’ll need to pay an extra $150 for the transmitter and around $300 for first person view (FPV) capability, putting the sticker at $1,249 for the same capability as a $1,099 DJI Phantom 3 Advanced. In other words, you’ll need to have faith not only in the concept, but also the company’s ability to ship it. That said, it’s well over half way to its $200,000 goal with 21 days to go, so it’s more likely than not to get backed. If all goes well, delivery is slated for December 2015.
Filed under: Robots
Source: Kickstarter
Android’s stand-alone Photos app will give you more creative control
Wondering what will happen when Android’s Photos app finally makes a clean break from Google+? You should now have a pretty good idea. Android Police has peeked at a leaked copy of a reworked Photos app, and it’s clear that Google is using the service split as an incentive to shake things up. The highlight may be Assistant (below), an effective substitute for Auto Awesome that gives you more creative power — you can produce more content yourself (such as Stories) instead of waiting for it to show up. The interface should also be more intuitive across the board, with more options for viewing your photos, a better editing interface, privacy-minded sharing and pinch-to-zoom gestures for opening pictures. There’s a chance these features could change or disappear before they’re official, but it won’t be surprising if you see this Photos redesign on the Google I/O stage this week.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Police (1), (2)
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