Notion, the popular productivity and collaboration platform, has launched its third app, Notion Mail, a minimalist yet powerful take on email. The new app is available now for web and Mac, with an iOS version in testing. Notion Mail aims to compete with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace by providing a hub for all work-related activities, including email.

The app's design is characterized by a simple, text-first approach, trading Gmail's numerous menus and buttons for a clean and customizable interface. Users can change what appears in their inbox, toggle dark and light mode, and more. According to Jason Ginsberg, one of the leaders on the Notion Mail team, the app is designed with a Notion perspective in mind.

One of Notion Mail's most impressive features is its AI-powered organization. The app can automatically sort emails into categories, such as promotional emails or calendar invites, and even allows users to create custom labels with chatbot-style prompts. The AI can crawl through the inbox to find similar messages, making it easy to categorize and prioritize emails. While the feature is not perfect, it has shown promising results in early testing.

Notion Mail also introduces "Views," a feature that allows users to create custom collections of filters to organize their emails. These views can be combined in various ways to create a personalized inbox experience. For example, users can create a view for all their confirmation emails and receipts or one for their must-read newsletters. These views sync back to the Gmail interface as labels, providing a new way to organize emails without disrupting the inbox.

The app also includes Notion-style slash commands to format text, insert scheduling tools, and add templates with information like Zoom links or recipient names. Notion's AI can even write and edit emails, if desired. While some features are hidden behind a simple design, the app offers a range of customization options and features to help users manage their inboxes more efficiently.

However, the app is not without its limitations. Currently, it only supports Gmail accounts, with no timeline for Outlook or other account support. The app is also missing from Windows and most mobile platforms, with an iOS app expected soon. Additionally, some users have reported issues with attachments and multiple account support. Despite these limitations, Notion Mail has the potential to revolutionize the way users interact with their inboxes.

In an interview, Andrew Milich, co-founder of Skiff, which was acquired by Notion last year, explained that the goal of Notion Mail was to "reinvent the core idea of the inbox." By treating the inbox as a database that can be filtered, sorted, and organized, Notion Mail offers a fresh approach to email management. With its AI-powered features and customization options, Notion Mail is poised to become a major player in the email app market.

As Notion continues to expand its suite of work tools, Notion Mail is an important step in the company's mission to provide a comprehensive platform for productivity and collaboration. With its focus on simplicity, customization, and AI-powered organization, Notion Mail has the potential to change the way users interact with their inboxes and manage their work.