Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers an email app for the iPhone with automation features and desktop-class attachment handling (see article below), a cloud practice management application for litigators, a combination battery charger and solid state drive for iPads and iPhones, and a Microsoft Word add-on for repairing documents. Don't miss the next issue.
DESKTOP-CLASS EMAIL ON YOUR IPHONE
The smartphone has become an efficient tool for reviewing email when not at your desk. This common activity prevents your inbox from getting out of control. However, Apple Mail on iOS lacks advanced features such as switching among multiple email signatures. Its attachment handling abilities also fall short. A more advanced app would enable you to clear through even more email than currently possible.
Spark … in One Sentence
Launched last month, Readdle's Spark is an email app for the iPhone with a focus on automation and attachment handling.
The Killer Feature
Spark offers desktop-class attachment handling. It can open just about any document you receive. You can search for attachments (and links) using natural language (e.g., Word documents from Joe Smith this year). Spark enables you save frequently-used searches.
Spark supports Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, and other cloud services. This means you can save attachments to these services, and also tap into them for emailing one or more documents. You can also attach any locally stored documents and photos. You need not start from the document as is the case with Apple Mail.
Thanks to Readdle's PDF pedigree, you can convert email messages into PDF format. Once converted, you can save these messages in any supported cloud service or send them to a local app such as Adobe Acrobat or Readdle's PDF Expert.
Other Notable Features
Spark's unified inbox works across all your email accounts. It groups related messages into three groups — Personal, Newsletters, and Notifications. Spark uses an algorithm to figure out which messages qualify as notifications. It should alert you to questions from clients for example.
Speaking of notifications, Spark can let you know when a recipient reads your message. You can "pin" important messages that you don't want to forget about. Pinned messages appear in their own section. Similarly, you can "snooze" messages to make them disappear now and reappear later.
Quick Replies enable you to respond to email without having to spend time writing. With one tap, you can send customizable canned responses such as "Thanks" or an emoji. Another timesaver, Spark supports multiple signatures. You swipe through them, and then tap on the signature you want to use.
Spark offers a number of widgets that you can toggle on or off. For example the calendar widget enables you to accept or reject meeting invitations. Another widget lists only attachments. Also on the customization front, you can change the function of swipe gestures much like with mouse buttons on your PC.
What Else Should You Know?
Spark supports Exchange, Gmail, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo, and IMAP. If you have an Apple Watch, you can install the Spark extension. Once installed, you can reply to email via dictation or Quick Replies. The Spark Glance shows you how many unread messages you have and lists your most recent email message. Spark is free for now. Learn more about Spark.
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