It seems like Google has quietly pulled the popular Sparrow email app for iOS and Mac. The app was developed by a French startup and it quickly became popular with users on both iOS and Mac. The startup was acquired by Google in 2012 and it kept the staff, the technology and the apps. Since then Sparrow has continued to live on, receiving minor updates multiple times, but now the app is no longer available from the iOS or Mac App Store.
Google didn’t say that it will kill off Sparrow when the startup was acquired. Since the acquisition in 2012 the team didn’t really work on any major updates rather they just kept the app running with minor updates every now and then. This inevitably led to speculation about Sparrow’s future.
A few months back Google introduced Inbox. It seeks to revolutionize the way we handle email particularly on our mobile devices. Initial response for this app has been good and since then the app has been in a closed environment where only those who possess an invite are allowed to download it.
Inbox is only compatible with Gmail accounts right now. Custom email accounts powered by Google don’t work with the app, which is only available for iOS and Android right now, and doesn’t have a counterpart for desktop.
Google’s decision to pull Sparrow might indicate at a greater role for Inbox. It has been under testing for quite a few months now and should really be ready to step up to the plate.
Therefore it is highly likely that Inbox may soon be opened up to all users, and a desktop app might possibly be made available as well.
Filed in . Read more about Apps, Google and Google Inbox.