As a tech enthusiast always on the lookout for tools to boost productivity, I recently made the switch from the Gmail app to Canary Mail. Today, I’m sharing my experience with this AI-powered email client that’s been making waves in the productivity space.

Why I Switched

After years of using the standard Gmail app, I was craving something more feature-rich and intelligent. Canary Mail caught my eye with its promise of AI-assisted email management and robust privacy features. I’ve now linked both my Gmail and iCloud accounts to Canary, and I’m even using it exclusively for my personal domain (wndiy.com).

Latest Features That Won Me Over

  1. AI Copilot: This is the standout feature. With a tap of the magic wand or typing ‘c’ three times, Canary’s AI can draft replies or new emails for you. It’s surprisingly good at capturing context and tone.
  2. Smart Prioritization: The app uses AI to help you focus on what’s important, pushing less critical emails to the background.
  3. Built-in Calendar: Recent updates have improved the calendar integration, making it easier to manage emails and events in one place.
  4. End-to-End Encryption: For the privacy-conscious, Canary offers PGP encryption and a feature called SecureSend.
  5. Unified Inbox: All my accounts in one place? Yes, please!

The AI Experience

Canary’s AI features are a game-changer. The email drafting is impressive, often capturing the essence of what I want to say. However, it’s not perfect – I usually give the AI-generated emails a quick edit before sending.One of my favorite AI-powered features is the automatic selection of less important emails as I scroll. It feels almost magical how it picks out newsletters and promotional content, making inbox management a breeze.

Pricing: Competitive and Flexible

Canary offers a free version, but the real power comes with the Pro subscription. At $50/year, it’s competitively priced. They also offer a lifetime subscription ($100), which I found appealing for long-term use.

Cross-Device Heaven

The cross-device sync in Canary Mail is where it truly shines. Similar to how Brave browser seamlessly syncs your browsing data across devices, Canary Mail ensures your email experience is consistent whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer. This setup feels like email nirvana – your inbox, settings, and AI preferences follow you everywhere, creating a unified and efficient email management system.

The Not-So-Smooth Sailing

While I’m loving Canary overall, it’s not without its issues:

  1. Occasional Freezes: The app sometimes hangs, requiring a restart.
  2. Notification Delays: I’ve noticed emails sometimes come in a few seconds later than on other clients.
  3. Limited Customization: Some users (myself included) wish for more options to tailor the interface.

Final Thoughts

Despite the hiccups, I’m sticking with Canary Mail. The AI features, combined with the privacy-focused approach and seamless cross-device experience, outweigh the current issues for me. It’s not perfect, but it’s a significant upgrade from my previous email setup.

For fellow DIY tech enthusiasts, Canary Mail is worth exploring. It’s a prime example of how AI can enhance our daily tools without compromising on privacy. The cross-device sync, reminiscent of Brave browser’s efficiency, creates an email environment that feels like a productivity paradise. As with any tech, your mileage may vary, but for me, it’s become an indispensable part of my productivity toolkit. The seamless sync across devices, coupled with the AI features, has transformed my email management into a much more pleasant and efficient experience.

Have you tried Canary Mail or any other AI-powered email clients? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!

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