However Google wants to package it, to any Outlook.com user it should be fairly obvious Google’s Inbox is an answer to Microsoft’s oft lauded, newly rebuilt webmail. Both share some very good quality, namely some level of automation, control over said automation, and a far cleaner interface than what they respectively replaces.
But I could not help but notice something in Google’s behavior concerning Inbox. Google could be called “The Internet Company”, so I find it pretty weird that they rolled out Inbox in an invitation only method. While Google has more than once used invitation in past, I would have imagined they have moved past it, specially that invitation is often associated with limited backend capability, such for Ello, or in case of hardware, OnePlus One. Add to the fact that, when Microsoft launched Outlook.com, all I had to do was go to Outlook.com.
Second thing I find weird is that even when I got my invitation, I had to activate by logging into Inbox app, specially when the app is not available on Windows Phone. Hmm. Google might try its hardest, but Windows Phone or soon just Windows, is here to stay. So making it hard for Windows Phone users such as myself is pretty pathetic.
Last but not least, Inbox’s web interface is only available on Chrome. Come on! That’s just sad. The open standard loving Google is nowhere to be found nowadays.
I like Inbox, I really do. I am unlikely to switch as it does not seem to offer anything Outlook.com does not, but Gmail users should be happy. I just wish Google would stop taking potshots like I mentioned.
Simple Thoughts 