Nextbit OS Apps - Nextbit Robin

Greetings! I am researching a new smartphone purchase. I have been using HTCs for the past 6 years or so and have become very accustomed to the Sense UI. So much so that I don't have much comfort with anything else. It really comes down to 2 apps that HTC use that are the deal breakers for me. The mail and the messages apps.
So that leads me to my question for the Robin users. I was wanting to know how similar those two apps were to the HTC sense apps. And in particular in the mail app when an Exchange account is created does the app consolidate all of the folders of the inbox into one display? Or do you have to browse each folder in order to know if there is any new mail in that folder? I have tried and tried to adapt to an AOSP type UI and because of the functionality of these 2 apps I can't get comfortable.
I would appreciate any direction on this before I commit to purchasing one.
Thanks!

The Robin uses Gmail as its email app. You can see how it feels right now by downloading it and adding your email account. The messaging app is very similar to Google Messenger. The only difference between the two is that it doesn't color contact names (they're all a turquoise color) and it doesn't have the quick reply option that Google Messenger does. So again, you can download Google Messenger here and pretty much get the feeling of the app.

Related

Best Email App?

Hey everyone, I'm new to Android and just looking to get situated with everything.
I use Gmail for my email and I've found the stock Gmail app to be ALMOST exactly what I need. Major flaws are zooming in and out and selecting text are impossible and it really annoys me.
Basically the features I want are:
Push or IMAP, I like the delivery speed of the Gmail App
Label support, or if folders are used then the ability to Star/Flag/COPY to folders instead of just moving
Zooming out for viewing large emails
It would be nice to have a unified inbox, but not a big deal for me
I'm pretty disappointed with the Gmail app missing some of these key usability features. Is the HTC mail program better in any way? Are there any other options that work well?
Thanks.
Pretty sure the GMail app has label support. You can star and label things as is since "folders" are just labels in GMail anyways. Push for GMail is a FroYo feature, afaik. Looking forward to that instead of having an active connection for my GMail.
Zooming out would be nice but on the Evo's screen it doesn't seem like it would be really needed unless you have people e-mailing you that don't know how to press the enter key every now and then. I haven't tried zooming in/out in the HTC e-mail app but I doubt it's present there. Seems like a low priority feature, imo.
The non-GMail e-mail program is pretty good. Supports POP, IMAP and Exchange ActiveSync. Unified Inbox, no. Personally, I dislike a unified inbox as I like to know who is sending me stuff where and with what address I should be replying with. I've yet to setup folders and such but I expect you can since folders are a pretty basic function for e-mail. I know the Exchange ActiveSync will sync folders, contacts, and calendar so you probably can.
cosine83 said:
Pretty sure the GMail app has label support. You can star and label things as is since "folders" are just labels in GMail anyways. Push for GMail is a FroYo feature, afaik. Looking forward to that instead of having an active connection for my GMail.
Zooming out would be nice but on the Evo's screen it doesn't seem like it would be really needed unless you have people e-mailing you that don't know how to press the enter key every now and then. I haven't tried zooming in/out in the HTC e-mail app but I doubt it's present there. Seems like a low priority feature, imo.
The non-GMail e-mail program is pretty good. Supports POP, IMAP and Exchange ActiveSync. Unified Inbox, no. Personally, I dislike a unified inbox as I like to know who is sending me stuff where and with what address I should be replying with. I've yet to setup folders and such but I expect you can since folders are a pretty basic function for e-mail. I know the Exchange ActiveSync will sync folders, contacts, and calendar so you probably can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, the Gmail app does have Labels, which are essentially folders.
The Gmail app is perfect IMHO except zooming and selecting text. The zooming is an issue for emails I get that are HTML formatted. Like Gamestop or Best Buy, etc... They usually have big headers and text with padding on the left. This makes the text all out of my view. The only way to read then is to turn my phone sideways and/or scroll left to right as I read... A little anoying. I noticed this issue in the HTC mail program too.
I also noticed today that I can't select text or copy it from emails in the Gmail application. I'm not sure if this is an issue in other clients as well or what.
not to thread jack by any means, but this seems relevant to my question, somewhat. does anyone know how to (when you have multiple accounts linked) have it send from a specific account or am i limited to the one i have synced with my phone?
thanks and i hope you get your problems resolved, i wish i could select text too, its a bit annoying that that feature isnt there.
Gmail app works perfectly for my purposes but you are right that it doesn't have zoom or the ability to cut and paste. If you come across an email where you need either of these two, just open up your browser and go to Gmail from there. Both of those functions work perfectly on the mobile gmail site.
Yea, that's what I've been doing. Just a little tedious considering they are pretty basic features. Not really dealbreakers for me though.
Might I suggest K-9 mail, it's and open source solution that has imap/pop support and integrates seamlessly.
psych2l said:
Might I suggest K-9 mail, it's and open source solution that has imap/pop support and integrates seamlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try it. It can't hurt right.
I'll throw in a vote for k9. I use it to manage 3 emails, two IMAP emails through godaddy and my gmail. It works great for me.
ViViDboarder said:
Yea, that's what I've been doing. Just a little tedious considering they are pretty basic features. Not really dealbreakers for me though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I agree. I am all for decreasing keystrokes/screen presses. That's the reason I have Camcorder and Camera on my home screen. I should only need one but if I'm in a hurry to capture something, the fact that it takes an extra three screen presses to switch between video/still means that I might miss it.
I think it's quite likely that Gmail will be updated to include those basic features in the near future.

[Q] Exchange email vs. HTC Sense email

Hey guys
I was wondering if anyone could give a quick comparison between Galaxy Nexus Exchange email and that of HTC Sense. Is it as good? Better? If you could have Sense email on your Gnex, would you use that instead?
I strongly dislike Sense, so I may not be the best candidate here. I came from a bunch of Moto phones, and then briefly used Touchwiz on a Stratosphere, so I can speak more to the Moto Exchange client and the Touchwiz one (which isn't stock Android, although it looked similar).
Early Moto clients were severely lacking, didn't have folder display options, couldn't search, etc. The current Android client in ICS is very good. Server-side search is there and works (you need E2k7 or 2010 for this to work, I don't think Exchange 2003 has server-side search). You can pick a folder to view, and set the sync amount for each folder individually (it's not clearly obvious that this is how it works, but it changeable on a per-folder basis). I usually take a month from my inbox, but I have a "save" folder that has important info and I like to sync the whole thing (it's only about 50-60 messages give or take). Moto wouldn't allow this on the Droid 2. I think the option may have shown up on the D3, but that phone had issues for many people with randomly dropping the "Push" option I believe.
The Sammy client on the Stratosphere was decent, but missing a few features that Moto added in D3. The Android client seems pretty thorough now - I don't feel like I'm missing anything at least, and it's really cool to finally have a standard UI between gmail and Exchange.
aeropilot said:
Hey guys
I was wondering if anyone could give a quick comparison between Galaxy Nexus Exchange email and that of HTC Sense. Is it as good? Better? If you could have Sense email on your Gnex, would you use that instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm coming off a Thunderbolt and relied heavily on HTC Mail because of Exchange. I did prefer HTC Mail due to it's UI more than anything else. That was up to Gingerbread.
I'm happy to say that I won't be missing HTC Mail anytime soon. Stock Android Email client got a UI cleanup like most of the other core apps and does seem to look a lot more polished. It's not "GMail" polished but still vastly more polished than anything else of it's previous iterations.
I think it all comes down to what your functionality wishlist is. HTC Mail had those bottom button that were for quick filtering navs which I didn't really care for. To me, HTC Mail was something that ran off the Android Mail engine just with UI and a few more functionality attached on top of it.
If anything, on ICS Mail, GAL seems very fast when autocompleting contact names, you can still zoom on HTML emails, and has a few more functionality than it did on the pre-ICS builds. Again, really depends on what made you like HTC Mail over the other.
Stock email is much better than htc's version of it and with the 720p screen it makes reading content much better.

GMail app - Fit to screen?

Is there any way to make HTML emails in the GMail app fit to the screen so that I'm not scrolling all over the place trying to read them? It seems the iPhone email client handled HTML messages much better unless I'm missing something. It's very frustrating!
I have the same complaint. The Gmail iPhone app had the same problem, but like you said it was a non-issue in the iPhones official mail app.
Hopefully the Gmail app will see this fixed/implemented soon!
I'm shocked that there's no way to do this. Coming from the iPhone everyone said GMail was MUUUUUCH better on Android but without this basic feature it's not even close. GMail on android is cumbersome and I can't even read half my emails bc it's a mess all ver the screen and I don't want to be scrolling all over the place! Really disappointed.
And maildroid fix your problem

what email application are you using?

For years I've used Gmail as my primary email app. And lately it seems worse than ever. Emails seem shower then normal, it will notify me even when the emails are syncing (annoying), and then takes a long time send. And now since their latest update, I have 2 apps for Gmail in my tray. What email app do others use I'm curious.
BlueMail. It's free, and basically perfect.
I use gmail, works flawlessly
winol said:
I use gmail, works flawlessly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any issues such as a duplicate icon?
This question is as old as Android..
I think I have been on all of them, free and paid. There isn't one that has no issues. All of them has great features. Some of them have better security, and the bottom line is, they are all not bad.
Now days, surprisingly, I'm back to the Samsung built in email app. Even my Gmail is on it ..
ptko15 said:
Do you have any issues such as a duplicate icon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
, no just one
I think Nine is the best (check Play). It's not free but there's a trial you can test. Very flexible, great features, and fast. I have no connection to the dev (s) - just a happy user.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ninefolders.hd3
Samsung email on the device is tolerable. I have messed with Newton and Spark as well. They all have their +/-, but I miss inbox.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
I use gmail.
No issues here. Works fine.
Stock and Outlook for company mail.
The best one is AquaMail
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail
Tons of options. Amazing app.
BlueMail is the best Gmail replacement will never go back
I went from MailDroid (pro) over to Outlook. I loved maildroid, but the UI is/was very overdue for an update. Outlook has been a great replacement, and it integrates well with my PCs.
I'm using Spike email. It's very different. You can have the email format appear as a text thread. Also, I really love the oled black theme. Before this, I used Spark. And before that I enjoyed Bluemail.
I use Bluemail.
I have about 7 different email addresses and some are not Gmail accounts.
Bluemail has an export accounts option so when I switch devices I don't have to re enter all the addresses on the new phone.
Aquamail for me too
sansnil said:
I think Nine is the best (check Play). It's not free but there's a trial you can test. Very flexible, great features, and fast. I have no connection to the dev (s) - just a happy user.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ninefolders.hd3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, although at the present I am using default email app, I agree that nine mail is perhaps the best with lots of personalisation and works well with exchange mail, what is an important feature for me
sansnil said:
I think Nine is the best (check Play). It's not free but there's a trial you can test. Very flexible, great features, and fast. I have no connection to the dev (s) - just a happy user.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ninefolders.hd3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This! Nine is by far the best and most flexible email app out there. Same here btw, just a happy user ?
I'm using Fairmail, it comes with very good privacy roles and features and has cool features.
I tried Spark when it came out bit went back to Gmail. Then saw Spark made some updates and went back to it and I don't think I will use another app again. Now that it has dark mode and you can create folders. It is the closest thing to Inbox (RIP).

Question Like the device but IMHO it needs a decent email app (like Samsung). Any suggestions?

Hardware is good, love that it's a world phone for radio bands like iphone, bit I think it's software is sometimes too stock. Don't live google calendar but it will do, but it really needs a professional grade email app like Samsung, apple etc. I can't even use outlook on push mail on Gmail, which I think is a fairly lacking email app. Everyone is different but itt prevents me from keeping this device. Any suggestions as to a modern UI email app? BTW 9Mail is clunky and requires a passcode every time I use it.
THANKS
ekerbuddyeker said:
Hardware is good, love that it's a world phone for radio bands like iphone, bit I think it's software is sometimes too stock. Don't live google calendar but it will do, but it really needs a professional grade email app like Samsung, apple etc. I can't even use outlook on push mail on Gmail, which I think is a fairly lacking email app. Everyone is different but itt prevents me from keeping this device. Any suggestions as to a modern UI email app? BTW 9Mail is clunky and requires a passcode every time I use it.
THANKS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just the Outlook app?
Thanks. I think Outlook is also a fairly poor app, certainly the UI is very dated, and it has limited flexibility, plus it doesn't integrate with any third party calendars. Really hoping there's something else out there that I did t already try.
I use Spark and can't go back to Gmail now, mainly for the optional links on notifications. I have 3 links on my notifications - Mark as read, Archive and Reply. That one single feature makes it my favourite email app.
Spark Mail – AI Email Inbox - Apps on Google Play
Smart AI-powered mail app. Connect Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail in one mailbox.
play.google.com
In short, Spark is to Gmail what Nova is to the Pixel launcher. If you like it half as much as I do then you'll love it
Nine
Thanks. I just tried spark again. Does it also syncs calendars and contacts ?
I've always liked BlueMail works well on Android and iOS.
I use outlook normally. Although occasionally it seems to have spells where it isn't syncing so I've started to use one simply called "email" in the play store and seems to be fine
ekerbuddyeker said:
Thanks. I think Outlook is also a fairly poor app, certainly the UI is very dated, and it has limited flexibility, plus it doesn't integrate with any third party calendars. Really hoping there's something else out there that I did t already try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm an Outlook user and never came across Samsungs own email app, so I researched a bit.
Both look quite similar. Both have a clean, modern interface - not sure why you would call Outlook UI as "very dated". In terms of design language, Samsung seems to have already "modernized" it's UI do the very latest common design language (huge white boxes with big emtpy space for every word, aka Googles latest material design), whilst Microsoft has not yet done that. Even though that's not "very dated", it's simply a couple month behind.
In terms of functionality I can't say much, since I don't know what Samsung offers, but at least in terms of design it's no trouble at all.
Concerning calendars: Outlook can be synced with Google Calendar, never had issues with that.
Morgrain said:
I'm an Outlook user and never came across Samsungs own email app, so I researched a bit.
Both look quite similar. Both have a clean, modern interface - not sure why you would call Outlook UI as "very dated". In terms of design language, Samsung seems to have already "modernized" it's UI do the very latest common design language (huge white boxes with big emtpy space for every word, aka Googles latest material design), whilst Microsoft has not yet done that. Even though that's not "very dated", it's simply a couple month behind.
In terms of functionality I can't say much, since I don't know what Samsung offers, but at least in terms of design it's no trouble at all.
Concerning calendars: Outlook can be synced with Google Calendar, never had issues with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
If you also have access to a Samsung device, try the email app out.
Archer said:
I use Spark and can't go back to Gmail now, mainly for the optional links on notifications. I have 3 links on my notifications - Mark as read, Archive and Reply. That one single feature makes it my favourite email app.
Spark Mail – AI Email Inbox - Apps on Google Play
Smart AI-powered mail app. Connect Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail in one mailbox.
play.google.com
In short, Spark is to Gmail what Nova is to the Pixel launcher. If you like it half as much as I do then you'll love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Spark support Gmail labels?
itchyUnder said:
Does Spark support Gmail labels?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - you have to add them individually, even if they're nested. It's a bit of a hassle to have to do that, but it's there.
Fair Mail
Bare bones BUT very safety/privacy focused
Open source
Talk about settings/options ? This app is soooooo granular you can control EVERYTHING.
(I do not work for or profit from them)
FairEmail, privacy aware email - Apps on Google Play
Fully featured, privacy oriented email app
play.google.com
Archer said:
Yes - you have to add them individually, even if they're nested. It's a bit of a hassle to have to do that, but it's there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you DM me or provide instructions on how to enable gmail labels in Spark? I have tried out SPARK several times in the past couple years and never saw this feature. Googling this, I only see Apple implementation.
itchyUnder said:
Could you DM me or provide instructions on how to enable gmail labels in Spark? I have tried out SPARK several times in the past couple years and never saw this feature. Googling this, I only see Apple implementation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but since I use a USB cable to set up my new phones from my previous one, it's a long time since I had to set it up. I can't remember for sure. However, a quick Google search shows that you go into settings, mail accounts and then add account.
Aqua Mail ... has zillions of options ... honestly speaking too many ;-)
foobar66 said:
Aqua Mail ... has zillions of options ... honestly speaking too many ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using this one for years now on Android. It's 100% not modern, the interface and UI haven't changed hardly any at all since I started with it. But it serves my purposes and if you have to connect to an Exchange server it can do that natively since IME most corporations don't open imap/pop up to their employees.
Archer said:
I use Spark and can't go back to Gmail now, mainly for the optional links on notifications. I have 3 links on my notifications - Mark as read, Archive and Reply. That one single feature makes it my favourite email app.
Spark Mail – AI Email Inbox - Apps on Google Play
Smart AI-powered mail app. Connect Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail in one mailbox.
play.google.com
In short, Spark is to Gmail what Nova is to the Pixel launcher. If you like it half as much as I do then you'll love it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spark ftw. Excellent, excellent app.
If you use emails for conversations I recommend spike, as well.
Bluemail is a privacy nightmare with a dev that has been, in the past, beyond shady about their privacy policy.
Samsung's email app has to be the most horrific app I've ever used. It's a slow, buggy mess, that even Samsung stopped distributing on their phones, simply because it was THAT awful. The fact that you like this app and think Outlook is junk makes me question a lot about this post.
BTW 9Mail is clunky and requires a passcode every time I use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use your fingerprint or a passcode. And that's if your network admin requires it. If your admin requires some sort of authentication to get into the app, not much is going to get around that.
entropism said:
Bluemail is a privacy nightmare with a dev that has been, in the past, beyond shady about their privacy policy.
Samsung's email app has to be the most horrific app I've ever used. It's a slow, buggy mess, that even Samsung stopped distributing on their phones, simply because it was THAT awful. The fact that you like this app and think Outlook is junk makes me question a lot about this post.
You can use your fingerprint or a passcode. And that's if your network admin requires it. If your admin requires some sort of authentication to get into the app, not much is going to get around that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opinion is what makes this forun interesting. Actually, the Samsung email app gets updated on a regular basis and the same updated app is on every Samsung device so it has not been dropped as you say. I don't know why you find it buggy. But again it's all a matter of opinion. Personally I find the need to have to enter in a password or provide a fingerprint every time I look at mail, which is several hundred times a day because of my work, a bit of a bore. Nothing is perfect out there, right?

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