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489,998 and Counting…

Posted At: March 20, 2013 2:45 P.M.
by Lindsey Green

Like most people my age, I try to stay up to date with the latest app technology. My iPhone 5 is frequently used for Snapchat, Vine and GroupMe along with more “traditional” forms of social media like Facebook and Twitter. When I heard about Mailbox, I downloaded it right away.

As soon as it finished downloading, I quickly opened the application. The fun stopped there. I was greeted with a screen that asked if I wanted to “reserve a Mailbox.” Confused, I clicked yes and the next screen flashed with a countdown: 493,066 people in front of me on my way to a whole new inbox. While my natural instinct was to delete the app and move on with my life, something stopped me. I had to know what the wait was all about.

While this app is great for busy public relations professionals, the exclusivity of the app creates anticipation, a great public relations tactic in itself. The excitement of waiting for my turn to get my very own Mailbox is enough to get me to tell my friends and classmates about it. This word of mouth publicity is what is getting so many people to reserve their spot in line.

Since I’ve not been able to use the app yet (only 489,998 people to go), all I know about Mailbox is that it is trendy. From my understanding, its main purpose is to more efficiently organize Gmail accounts on iPhones. There are four main gestures: a fast swipe to the right to archive an email, a fast swipe to the left to “snooze” a message, a longer swipe to the right to delete and a longer swipe to the left to file emails using folders. You can sync multiple accounts and even get pop-up notifications for the emails that you put in the snooze section.

This week, the file-sharing service Dropbox bought Mailbox in an attempt to expand its services. This collaboration will help Mailbox reach new, larger audiences and eventually Dropbox will use it to improve Dropbox’s features.

The buzz around Mailbox is sure to draw attention, but the bigger question is will the wait be worth it? Have you used Mailbox? Does it live up to the hype? For a closer look at this app, check out this step-by-step introduction on YouTube.

 

Opinions

  1. Post comment

    This app looks like it could be extremely useful in consolidating multiple e-mail accounts, and as someone with student, personal, and work e-mail accounts, I’m especially interested.

    However, I’m also someone with an Android phone, and it’s disappointing to see that the app is only available on the iPhone. Is there any word on when this could be available for the Android market? Furthermore, can I put myself on the waiting list without actually having an iPhone?

    This app may be the “next big thing,” but for those without iPhones it seems there are still more questions than answers.

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  2. Post comment

    I’m so glad I read this post because I have never heard of the Mailbox app. It definitely sounds like it would be worth the long wait! I never want to go onto my email because it is mostly inundated with junk mail. This Mailbox app would be the perfect fix for my messy inbox. The app is obviously popular for a reason and I would love to hop on the bandwagon. Thanks for the great information, Lindsey!

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  3. Post comment

    I feel as if I am on the same boat. I have heard all of the hype surrounding Mailbox and was equally as excited. When I heard that there was an app that could streamline all of my accounts in one easy place, I was hooked. The only thing that does irk me somewhat is, in fact, the oddly long wait. I remember when Pinterest did the exact same thing. Maybe I don’t have a vast enough knowledge of how apps are programmed and run, but I feel that our wait is a creation of the company to boost downloads. Surely it doesn’t take months to process people. Apps such as Angry Birds or Snap Chat don’t take months to become a part of, so why is Mailbox any different? That being said, I am still awaiting its arrival on my home screen and I cannot wait to finally see for myself what Mailbox is all about.

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  4. Post comment

    This is the first I have heard about Mailbox! I’m not sure it would be worth the wait for me. I don’t get excited about new apps anyway, I’m a late adopter. So waiting a while before I downloaded an app and then having to wait in line is a major downside for me. I’m glad I learned about it, though! Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Post comment

    I was 600,000+ in line when I downloaded the Mailbox app but it’s definitely worth the wait. I love it. I’m one of those poeple whose always really particular about my inbox being organized and clean so when I saw this app, I immediately jumped on it. Hopefully it speeds up for you and everyone who reads this, download it now. So worth it.

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