Sparrow

Dear Sparrow users,

We thought we had to keep you updated on our progress.

We are still fixing numerous bugs and some inconsistent behaviors that the community is kindly reporting on our GetSatisfaction every day.

We have begun Labels implementation. We are selecting and adding new features as fast as we can (Quicklook for attachments for example will be in Beta 5). We are also working on CPU/memory usage which obviously still needs some work.

We’re crafting a new compose window, new buttons, Labels UI and more.

Sparrow Beta 5 should be available on the 3rd of November if we keep up with our schedule.

Once label integration is finished, we will begin the integration of new IMAP mail providers.

Once again, we can’t thank you enough for your support (by mail, on Twitter or on our GetSatisfaction). There are many ideas and suggestions that we never thought about and help us refine Sparrow.

Thanks

Sparrow Beta 4 is now out with a new design.

We would like to thank 2 people who have contributed to this re-design and who are still working with us right now, giving us their time and ideas.

Jean-Marc Denis has designed the Beta 4 sidebar and collaborate with us on general UI.

Sharif Lukman has designed buttons and showed us a lot of great UI design ideas that we will implement in next releases.

We would like to thank them for their dedication and support on Sparrow. 

Update in this new release :

• Improved sync behavior
• Improved performance CPU/Memory
• Fixed ‘sending mail’ issue
• Spellcheck integration
• Sound option
• Properly display recipient when going in sent mailbox
• Fix Growl notifications issue at first installation
• Attachments are now saved in the default Download folder
• Hide dock icon option in preferences
• Fixed issue concerning typos in mail addresses and saving system

Shortcuts:

• Scroll up: Shift-Space 
• Select previous/next account: Shift-Cmd-Down/up arrow
• Navigate between Inbox, Outbox, Favorite, Trash: Cmd-1,2,3,4 
• Mark as read/unread: Shift-Cmd-U
• Shift-Tab in the compose window works
• Shift-Cmd-R is now Reply All
• Alt-Cmd-R is now refresh

UI:

• New conversation list background color
• New conversation list UI
• Animation of reply/option button in message have been removed

Download it on www.sparrowmailapp.com or from Sparrow, use the menu Sparrow > Check for update.

‘Sparrow ‘aims for simplicity in a way that is rather inspired’- TUAW

‘Sparrow is an awesome first step towards a true native Gmail client for Mac’ -TechCrunch

‘We recommend giving Sparrow a try’ - Ars Technica

‘Sparrow for Mac Simplifies Gmail for the Better’ - Mashable

‘Worth a look now, and worth keeping an eye on.’ - DaringFireball

‘Sparrow is a Refreshing Rethink of Mail’ - techēse

‘Sparrow encourages getting things done in a way that I like, simplicity and efficience’ -Macgasm

‘I can’t help but like Sparrow’ - MacStories

‘Sparrow is very simple, but it does most of the things you would need’ - Smoking Apples

‘Sparrow, le client léger email à suivre’ - WeloveMac

‘Sparrow : le Tweetie des clients mails’ - Mac Generation

‘I like the idea of Sparrow’ - CultofMac

The available version on the site already integrates the following changes:

• Signature above the reply history
• Cmd + Alt + R = Reply all
• Killed Preferences window animation
• Cmd + A de-activated in message list
• Crash fix

Next, here is our to do list for the next builds based on your feedback (thanks!):

• Preferences: option to hide dock icon, hide status bar icon, to display Cc and Bcc field by default in the composer.
• Shortcuts: Esc to close a window, page-up (shift + space), Go to sent, go to trash, go to inbox and go to Favorite, select previous/next account.
• Major bugs: draft management, Gtalk bug: chat gets counted as unread message, refresh issues, undisclosed inbox mails. 
• Features: unified inbox, report as spam, alias support, archive section, MobileMe support, Yahoo support, Labels for Gmail, general performance and UI.

There are obviously a lot more issues to fix but we’re just trying to keep you up to date on what we will focus on for the weeks to come.

The feedback and support we’re having on Sparrow is fantastic. Tons of great ideas and precise bug reports. We can’t thank you enough for taking the time to help us improve the app.

Shortcuts and Preferences should be quickly released.  

We would like to thank all the 12 000 people who took time to download Sparrow Beta in its first day and for the feedback we received so far. We are only 2 people behind Sparrow but each of your mail has been read and taken into account.

Thank you for your support. We’ll keep updating Sparrow Beta and fixing bugs as fast as we can. This blog is meant to keep you informed of our progress.