Following Gmail's iOS app debacle yesterday, Sparrow confirmed that it was working on an iPhone app that will land in the coming months. The company's Mac app has proven a popular alternative to Apple's stock Mail.app with Facebook integration, support for a variety of email services, full Gmail label support, and built-in Growl notifications, and we've heard hints for months now that the company was working on jumping to iOS. We reached out to the team yesterday, and just got an early teaser of the app running on an iPhone, and while details are slim, we've gotten confirmation that the app will have profile images, multiple inbox support, and full label integration. Sparrow co-founder Dom Leca told us, "We want to go through and treat the mail flow as fast as possible in the most elegant and pleasurable manner."
Sparrow iPhone app tease shows off profiles, multiple accounts
Comments
Can’t wait! Let’s just hope they gasp test the app first.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:53 AM EDT reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
Did you mean to advertise the iphone or the app because I sure don’t see the good old display picture of the device with the app open in this kind of articles.
Nice artsy picture of the iphone though; straight from Apple’s press release photos.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 7:22 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The app is running on screen. This is what they call a “teaser”.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 7:55 PM EDT reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
WIll Apple allow this app tho? It replicates an app already on the stock OS. I would be stoked if this did make it through the gates!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes they will – there are already 3rd party email apps, 3rd party media player apps etc. Apple is nowhere near as hard on developers as their reputation implies.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:59 AM EDT reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Well, I’d rather say “it depends”.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:11 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
On what?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:52 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Oh look.. its a troll….lol. j/k.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:38 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I was being serious. Sometimes they can reject an app just because of an icon, and sometimes they let pass things that should obviously be rejected. It depends. So the problem is more about consistency, in this case.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:51 PM EDT reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
Thanks for keeping a nice tone! :) And you’re right.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:24 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Well, thats now. If you remember when the App store first started, they made blanketed terrible statements about what was and wasn’t allowed into the app store. If it was offensive, it wasn’t allowed (no southpark app) and if it “replicated ios features, or ones that would come in future updates” it would also be out, one of the notable ones was an app for podcasting that allowed you to download and listen to podcasts directly to the iPhone before the podcasts were available to the iTunes store in a later update. Thats why we didn’t see different web browsers or anything for a while, and it was amazing when that Opera Mobile browser was available, because everyone thought it was going to be denied.
Today, they’re much better, with less vague and more fair rules, not perfect still, but much better than before, and this App should pass with no problem.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:10 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
A long time ago there was a third party email app that allowed you to store as much email history on your phone as you wanted, and also allowed for full text search (Which iPhone now has, but it didn’t back then.) The app was pulled by Google after they bought the app and hired its developer.
reMail
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:20 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
yeah. they’re much more loose than they were in the beginning.
there are already calculator apps, maps apps, broswers, and calendar apps in the App Store. this will be no different.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:56 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
So long as they’re not using private APIs, I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:44 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
How are you getting Unified Inbox from that picture?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Meant to add multiple inboxes. Tweaked. Thanks!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Can I get a universal app?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:53 AM EDT reply Recommend (3) Flag actions
This sounds like the first worthy alternative to the iOS Mail app. I hope it gets approved.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:54 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Hmmm… Not sure how I feel about the glare feature.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:54 AM EDT reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
Because Apple’s devices are not shiny enough.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 7:56 PM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Their Mac app is one of the bests I’ve ever used, if they manage to do something with such high quality on iOS, I’ll surely jump in and buy it.
My only complain about it, though, is that I still can’t use my iCloud mail on it, it messes up with the way it shows my inbox.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m using sparrow with my iCloud account and it works just fine. Am I missing something?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:38 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Have you upgraded to 1.4.1?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 7:56 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, in fact now, so much time after you asked, I’m already in 1.4.2. But the point is that, at work, I use the company’s laptop, and as it’s a windows one, I use iCloud’s web interface. And what I delete from there (or on my iPhone or iPad clients too) still shows when I open Sparrow at home, although it does not on the iPhone and iPad clients. I asked Sparrow’s support, and they told me it was likely to be some issue on Apple’s side (even though it doesn’t make sense to me).
Anyway, I still have to re-delete all e-mails I had already removed from my inbox during the day, after I come back home at the end of the day.
Posted on Nov 23, 2011 | 7:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I love love love Sparrow on the desktop, and would possibly be willing to march on Cupertino to make sure this gets approved.
iOS Mail doesn’t seem to work particularly well with Gmail… and the Gmail app… we all know about the Gmail app.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:57 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
I cannot wait for this. Love Sparrow on OS X. Gonna be awesome!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:57 AM EDT via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Link to source?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 9:57 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
We spoke directly with Sparrow co-founder Dom Leca.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:06 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
fine, then link to image source?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
www dot whocares dot com
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:55 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
i care. knowing where this image came from, i can check the source from time to time to see if theres new images.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:01 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Here’s where the image came from:
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:04 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
http://goo.gl/WQksq
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:06 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Dom sent the image, so he’s the source.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:49 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I confirm.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:11 AM EDT reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
i was asking about the source of the image.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:54 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
My Canon
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:07 PM EDT reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
50mm?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:20 PM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
1.4 yes
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:48 PM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Dom, the font used in the new “Batch” application for iOS would look really great in an email client.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:25 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
The biggest reason I can’t see myself leaving the default mail app is the push mail notifications via Exchange protocol.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:03 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Heard good things about Sparrow OS X (I use Mail with an Apple account) so am interested to see the iOS version. Hopefully universal instead of iPhone only.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:04 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This article was a tease.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:08 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sparrow is very cool. The designers obviously “get” both Gmail and the Mac. I’m definitely looking forward to their iPhone app.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:08 AM EDT reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Very true. I regularly use Sparrow on my Mac, I just hope the iPhone app is as good.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:09 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sparrow is great for a desktop and not so great for a laptop. It uses the CPU constantly and never shuts off. By never i mean absolutely never. They need to fix that or come up with an option to allow refresh intervals.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:29 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I find it funny that the number one thing iPhone useres have been asking for, Gmail, was a complete flop. Sparrow is definitely going to capitalize on Google’s failing.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:10 AM EDT via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes! I was hoping they’d drop a mobile app soon! Can’t wait :)
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:14 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Very much looking forward to this. I use Sparrow as my primary mail app for my mac now, and love how simple and reliable it is, while still having the features I need and specifically not feeling overly bloated. If priced right and as many have already said, properly tested (cough..google..) , this could really take off.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:19 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This is my next iOS email client…
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:21 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
There’s a ‘teaser shot’ and then there’s THIS teaser!
I like Sparrow on my Mac but I don’t really see a need for anything other than the default Mail.app. Maybe just me …
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:25 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
LOVE sparrow! They sum up everything I love about mac apps in general. Look amazing, clean, simple, user-friendly, just works!
Can’t wait to see what they bring to the iOS.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:32 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes! I want soo much!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:40 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s sad that a small team of designers can build a better email client experience than a huge company with near unlimited resources.
Google should just hire Jean-Mark Denis to design a Gmail app for them.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:51 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This is going to be killer
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:53 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I find the screenshot and ‘in a few months’ more painful than exciting! Give us more and faster! id rather be ignorant of the fact it exists than be tortured this long!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:54 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Ugh – now are you going to.. show us the teaser? Grahhh.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:12 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Wow, that looks good. Gatta grab that! I’m sure Sparrowmail will be out longer then an hour….
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:18 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
can’t wait any longer!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:34 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ll be getting my first iPhone (on Sprint) within the next couple months. I really hope Sparrow is available then. I’m loving the Mac client.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:49 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Huge fan of Sparrow on my Macs – all of them. This would make me very happy!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 11:54 AM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Google’s native Gmail application just became obsolete. They might as well not re-release it.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:03 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I just wish in Sparrow for Mac, when you delete an email, it goes to the next unread, not the next oldest email…other than that, love the app! Can’t wait for an iOS version!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Sparrow is by far the best email client I have ever used.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:08 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I love Sparrow and will gladly be paying for it the moment it’s available.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:41 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
email on the iphone is still on of the most frustrating aspects of using the phone for me. It seems to me that another email client no matter how good cannot solve the fundamental issue of messaging not being integrated into every aspect of the OS. To clarify I mean sms, and email.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 12:59 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
This gets me so excited, I’m a gmail lover and the only thing that bothers me right now about iOS is the email client. I can’t wait for this bad boy to be released!!!!
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 1:45 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Gimmie gimmie gimmie! Sparrow on my Mac is amazing.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:05 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Since getting Sparrow for my Mac i’ve stopped using Gmail’s web interface completely.
It’s an awesome app and an awesome company, can’t wait for the iPhone version.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:09 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’m curious what they’re going to charge for this when it hits the App Store. The desktop version of Sparrow is $9.99 on the Mac App Store. What will they charge for it on iPhone.
Also, the article says iPhone app, not iOS app. Implying that it’s just for iPhones (and presumably iPod touches). What I’m wondering is whether it will be universal or not.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:19 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I could picture it going for $2.99.
(Of course, I’d easily pay more.)
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 5:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ve been beta testing for Sparrow for a while now. I use it every day and it’s one of my favourite apps alongside Reeder. I haven’t used Mail.app for years… It’s either Sparrow or native Gmail for me.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 2:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Beta testing? Isn’t it time you went whole hog and purchased it from the Mac App Store?
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 5:46 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Can’t wait to see this, I love the mac app. I hope it will actually support multiple account and be cleaner than the gmail app that was just released.
Posted on Nov 03, 2011 | 10:16 PM EDT reply Recommend Flag actions
Very excited for this!
Posted on Nov 05, 2011 | 10:03 PM EDT via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Cool. Sparrow is the default mail client on my Macbook, clean look that goes with Gmail perfectly. Lion’s Mail.app is largely improved from previous versions and has a nice look, but imo it’s too bland and doesn’t do labels justice. I don’t have an iPhone but glad that iOS users can experience Sparrow also.
Posted on Dec 01, 2011 | 11:44 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed