Notion, the innovative productivity company known for its versatile suite of work tools, has officially launched its third application, Notion Mail. This new email app joins the ranks of Notion Calendar and the original Notion platform, as the company aims to enhance its competitive stance against established giants like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Notions ambition is clear: to serve as the central hub for all your work-related needs, and mastering email management is a critical step in achieving that goal.

Currently available for web and Mac users, Notion Mail is also undergoing testing for iOS, signaling the companys commitment to expanding its reach across multiple platforms. Ive spent the past few days testing the app, and it has largely met my expectations. Visually, Notion Mail offers a refreshing change from the often cluttered interfaces of traditional email services like Gmail, opting instead for a clean, text-centric design that emphasizes user experience and customization.

One of the standout features of Notion Mail is its flexibility. Users can tailor what appears in their inbox, including the order of messages, the amount of information displayed for each email, and even toggle between dark and light modes to suit their preferences. Jason Ginsberg, a key figure on the Notion Mail team, highlighted their user-centric approach, explaining that the design philosophy is rooted in the Notion ecosystem. Ginsberg, along with Andrew Milich, previously founded Skiff, a company specializing in productivity tools, which was acquired by Notion last year.

Among the array of features, Notion Mail boasts an impressive AI-driven organizational tool. During the initial setup, the app prompts users to choose whether they want to automatically categorize specific types of emails, such as promotional messages or calendar invitations. While this may seem reminiscent of Gmails existing functionality, Notion Mail takes it a step further. When users open an email, a button appears at the top of the thread that allows them to auto label similar emails. This feature leverages advanced AI to scan the inbox for other messages that share not just the same sender or subject line, but also the content and context of the emails. Furthermore, users can easily create labels through a chatbot-style prompt, simplifying the labeling process.

Although the AI labeler is not flawless, it proves useful. For instance, when I clicked the button on an email containing a receipt, Notion Mail successfully identified and grouped several other similar receipts for labeling. However, it also mistakenly included a few unrelated emails from companies like Chase and eBay, which were easily excluded. After confirming the labels, I was able to view a new section in Notion Mail titled Payment Receipt, consolidating my receipts for easy access. Its important to note, however, that there isnt currently a method to retrospectively sift through older emails, so my labeled receipts only contained two days' worth of data.

Notion refers to these categorized sections as Views, and they represent a powerful aspect of Notion Mail. According to Milich, Think of each view as a collection of filters that you can combine however you want. This functionality allows users to create a unique organization style; for example, one view could amalgamate all travel-related confirmation emails and receipts, while another could be dedicated solely to newsletters and essential reads. These views are synchronized with the Gmail interface as labels, ensuring that users maintain their inbox's integrity while discovering new methods to organize their emails. The concept is somewhat reminiscent of the now-defunct Google Inbox, but with a more refined approach.

As I continued to explore Notion Mail, I found that there were still numerous features waiting to be uncovered. However, one drawback I encountered was that some functionalities are somewhat hidden, potentially complicating the user experience in the name of simplicity. Users can utilize Notion-style slash commands for text formatting and to incorporate a built-in scheduling tool linked to their calendar, or even templates that automatically insert details like a Zoom link or the recipients name. Additionally, Notions AI capabilities extend to drafting and editing emails, making communication even more efficient. The CMD-K shortcut provides a way to access most features quickly, but many options remain obscured, especially for new users.

Despite its numerous strengths, Notion Mail does come with some limitations in this initial release. Currently, it is exclusively compatible with Gmail accounts, and Milich refrained from providing a timeline for support of Outlook or other email services. Furthermore, it lacks support for Windows and all other mobile platforms, although an iOS version is in the works. The absence of Windows support and the inability to view multiple email accounts simultaneously can be cumbersome, as users must switch back and forth. Additionally, while I did not experience issues, Ive heard reports of attachments behaving unpredictably or disappearing altogether.

Overall, Notion Mail represents a cohesive addition to Notion's product lineup. Milich emphasized the app's objective: to reinvent the core idea of the inbox. Its not this never-ending list. Its a database you can filter, sort, organize, in the Notion building-block model. Its like an app you can customize. This approach doesnt completely overhaul the existing email system, but rather provides new methods for users to interact with and derive meaning from their inboxes. So far, this concept has proven effective in enhancing my email management experience.