Sparrow Mac was an email client for Mac and iOS users that offered a simple, elegant, and user-friendly interface for managing emails. Sparrow Mac was developed by Sparrow SARL, a French company that was founded in 2010 by Dominique Leca, Đinh Việt Hòa, Jean-Marc Denis, Jean-Baptiste Bégué, and Louis Romero. Sparrow Mac was launched in 2011 and became one of the most popular and successful email apps on the Mac App Store and the iOS App Store.
Sparrow Mac was designed to provide a smooth and seamless email experience for users who preferred Gmail or Google Apps accounts, as well as other IMAP email accounts. Sparrow Mac integrated well with Gmail features, such as labels, stars, keyboard shortcuts, and quick replies. Sparrow Mac also supported other features, such as drag-and-drop attachments, Dropbox or Box.net integration, Growl notifications, and multiple accounts.
Sparrow Mac was praised by critics and users for its minimalist and intuitive design, its fast and reliable performance, its rich functionality, and its compatibility with various email services. Sparrow Mac won several awards and accolades, such as the Apple Design Award in 2012, the Best of 2011 Award from Macworld, and the Best of 2012 Award from The Verge.
Acquisition by Google
In July 2012, Sparrow SARL announced that it had been acquired by Google for an undisclosed amount and that its team would join the Gmail team at Google. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move by Google to improve its email products and services, especially on mobile devices. The acquisition was also seen as a recognition of Sparrow’s talent and innovation in the email space.
However, the acquisition also meant that Sparrow Mac would cease to receive further updates or development, except for critical bug fixes. This disappointed many fans and users of Sparrow Mac, who were concerned about the future of the app and its compatibility with new operating systems or devices. Some also felt betrayed by Sparrow’s decision to sell out to Google and abandon its loyal customers.
The acquisition also sparked a debate about the fate of independent developers and startups in the tech industry, especially in the face of giant corporations like Google. Some argued that the acquisition was a win-win situation for both parties, as Sparrow could benefit from Google’s resources and reach, while Google could benefit from Sparrow’s expertise and vision. Some also argued that the acquisition could lead to better email products and services for users in the long run.
Others argued that the acquisition was a loss for both parties, as Sparrow could lose its identity and autonomy, while Google could stifle its creativity and innovation. Some also argued that the acquisition could harm the diversity and quality of email products and services for users in the long run.
Alternatives to Sparrow Mac
Since Sparrow Mac is no longer actively developed or supported by its original team, users who are looking for a similar or better email client may want to consider some alternatives. Some of the most popular and recommended alternatives are:
- Mailbird: Mailbird is a Windows-based email client that offers a sleek and modern interface for managing multiple email accounts. Mailbird supports Gmail features, such as labels, stars, keyboard shortcuts, and quick replies. Mailbird also supports other features, such as drag-and-drop attachments, Dropbox integration, snooze function, unified inbox, and custom themes.
- Airmail: Airmail is a Mac- and iOS-based email client that offers a fast and powerful interface for managing multiple email accounts. Airmail supports Gmail features, such as labels, stars, keyboard shortcuts, and quick replies. Airmail also supports other features, such as drag-and-drop attachments, Dropbox integration, snooze function, unified inbox, custom actions, and smart folders.
- Newton: Newton is a cross-platform email client that offers a simple and elegant interface for managing multiple email accounts. Newton supports Gmail features, such as labels, stars, keyboard shortcuts, and quick replies. Newton also supports other features, such as drag-and-drop attachments, Dropbox integration, snooze function, unified inbox, read receipts, send later function, and undo send function.
Conclusion
Sparrow Mac was an email client for Mac and iOS users that offered a simple, elegant, and user-friendly interface for managing emails. Sparrow Mac was developed by Sparrow SARL in 2011 and became one of the most popular and successful email apps on the market. However, in 2012, Sparrow SARL was acquired by Google and ceased to update or develop Sparrow Mac, except for critical bug fixes. This disappointed many fans and users of Sparrow Mac, who were concerned about the future of the app and its compatibility with new operating systems or devices. The acquisition also sparked a debate about the fate of independent developers and startups in the tech industry, especially in the face of giant corporations like Google. Since Sparrow Mac is no longer actively developed or supported by its original team, users who are looking for a similar or better email client may want to consider some alternatives, such as Mailbird, Airmail, or Newton.
