Mail Call
Posted in technology on March 8th, 2010 by John Cummings – Be the first to commentYahoo Mail
Problem #1. It’s Yahoo Mail. Why are you not starting me in my inbox? Seriously? Mail. It’s in the name. Instead, I have to see an article about what you think I’d rather read, along with a gigantic ad for a car that I won’t buy – all while my inbox is relegated to (literally) second tab status. No thanks.
Problem #2. Filters. I remember trying Yahoo Mail two or three different times over the last seven years – and each time, when I went to create a filter, I was taken to this screen:
I’m going to assume that it hasn’t taken that long to update the interface, and that this message is being shown to me because of the browser I’m using. If I’m wrong, what do I need to do to see the “tweaked” mail filters option? Also, the “you are allowed up to 100 filters” message. Granted, I’ll probably not use more than that (well, I know I won’t with Yahoo Mail, since it’s a forward and forget) but the fact that this is here is an annoyance. If you’re going to limit me, why not at least hide the fact from me until I hit 80-90 filters instead of reminding me every time I click this option about what you aren’t going to let me do?
Problem #3. It’s 2010.
LiveMail/Hotmail/MSN Mail/Windows HotLive 7 Series Experience Mail/Bingaling Mail
Problem #1 – We’ve started off ok, in that I’m at least in my inbox – but the huge Verizon ad? Unobtrusive and targeted I don’t mind. I get that money makes the world go round and it can’t all be free – but in your face, blinky, flashy, red, I’m already an AT&T customer and this is irrelevant ads don’t do it for me.
Problem #2 – Again with the restrictions. In this case, it’s actually worse than the Yahoo “100″ filters restriction, because this one doesn’t even make any sense.
Gmail
For me, there’s really no contest. Gmail is all about minimalist email. You’re using email to communicate, and the interface is built to allow you to do that quickly and effectively. It’s sparse, but also full of features. What you don’t need isn’t shoved in your face – but it’s a click (or keyboard shortcut) away when and if you do need it. It’s quick, and it allows you immediate access to the most used features. The archive/search functionality can’t be beat, in my opinion. Themes allow you to pretty it up, but simple UI controls also allow you to hide or minimize (and in some cases even disable) the features that you’re not often using.
The ads are there – but they’re not obtrusive. They’ll show up when/if they contextually make sense. Targeting the ads means better clickthrough for the advertisers, and a better user experience for the user. Some people aren’t comfortable with the idea that content is being keyword indexed to do ad matching in this contextual way – but frankly, this is less of a concern for me than the completely blown UI experience of the competitors. It should also be noted that nothing says the competitors aren’t trying to do the same thing – they just haven’t made it work as seamlessly yet (as evidenced by the non-relevant ads I’m being served in the above screenshots).
For me, the choice is clear – Gmail is still unsurpassed in almost every way. I’m not bound to it – I hope someone comes along and challenges the throne to drive innovation. As of right now however, the competition doesn’t even appear to be close.
