Google acquires Sparrow (Email client for OS X and iOS)

By +Frank B.
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Grand Master

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Google acquires Sparrow

Third-party email app maker Sparrow just announced that it's been purchased by Google. This morning, Dom Leca posted on the Sparrow blog that the company has been acquired by Google, and that they're joining the Gmail team to "accomplish a bigger vision." The Gmail experience on iOS has been troubled with a rough launch, a limited feature set weaker than its Android brethren, and continued lack of support for multiple accounts, which opened up a space that the Sparrow team took advantage with its excellent iOS app. We've reached out to Google and Sparrow for comment.

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Developing...

Source: The Verge

Grand Master

+Frank B. Subscriber²

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April's Fools.

No. Check the Sparrow website: http://sparrowmailapp.com/

Quote from the announcement on the website: 'Now we're joining the Gmail team to accomplish a bigger vision ? one that we think we can better achieve with Google.'

Grand Master

Hurmoth

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They stated in an updated email sent out a few moments ago, "However, as we?ll be busy with new projects at Google, we do not plan to release new features for the Sparrow apps."

This sucks. Sparrow was a great email app, it was beautiful and, as a Gmail user, it worked perfectly with Gmail. I'm sorry, but these guys appear, to me at least, as sell outs. Google will either ruin this app or bury it. Sparrow doesn't even work with iOS 6 and they promised early last month a fix for it and that's yet to happen, not I wonder if it ever will.

Grand Master

SMELTN

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Wow the Google haters are out in force already

I am not a Google hater.. Actually I LOVE Google, but whats being said is true, now granted we don't know for sure whats going to happen to the app, but you can pretty much bet that if anything, some of the features will be added into the default Gmail client or something, which still means iOS and OSX users are left without a good replacement mail client. Considering the gmail app for iOS is horrible as well.

Grand Master

BoredBozirini

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No. Check the Sparrow website: http://sparrowmailapp.com/

Quote from the announcement on the website: 'Now we're joining the Gmail team to accomplish a bigger vision ? one that we think we can better achieve with Google.'

I think its pretty clear its not April too?

Grand Master

BajiRav

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They stated in an updated email sent out a few moments ago, "However, as we?ll be busy with new projects at Google, we do not plan to release new features for the Sparrow apps."

This sucks. Sparrow was a great email app, it was beautiful and, as a Gmail user, it worked perfectly with Gmail. I'm sorry, but these guys appear, to me at least, as sell outs. Google will either ruin this app or bury it. Sparrow doesn't even work with iOS 6 and they promised early last month a fix for it and that's yet to happen, not I wonder if it ever will.

While I don't use it, I won't expect anything less than a forced G+ integration :p in an email client.

Grand Master

Hurmoth

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Wow the Google haters are out in force already

Well read the writing on the wall. The developers themselves said they're moving onto other projects. "... we do not plan to release new features for the Sparrow apps."

It isn't about hate, heck, I use Gmail, Google Calendar, Google+, etc. I don't hate Google, but I'm being a realist here.

Grand Master

Hurmoth

Posted
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Nothing really new there. They theorize that there may be a rebranding of sorts of Sparrow to the official Gmail Client, or that Google may force them to focus entirely on Android. Either way, in Google's hands, I have the sinking feeling that the app will suck big fat harry monkey balls. But I hope I'm wrong.
Grand Master

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Some additional information about the acquisition:

Sources: Google's Sparrow purchase cost under $25 million, will bring 'beauty' to Gmail

Today, Sparrow's Dom Leca announced that his third party email client company had been purchased by Google, and we just talked to sources familiar with the situation. The talks have been ongoing for a while; Sparrow was well known, and our sources say Google recognized that the five-person-team had a "lot of expertise in how to make mail communication really simple." While we couldn't get an exact number, we're told that Sparrow was acquired for under $25 million, and that there wasn't a bidding war surrounding the purchase. While our source couldn't specify a timeline, the goal is to get the Paris-based Sparrow team in-house on the main Mountain View campus in California.

In an email to users, Dom Leca explained that Sparrow products won't be receiving new features, and the team will be joining the Gmail team. While some of the work that Sparrow has done on its native iPad app may be seen in future releases from the Gmail team, it's safe to assume that the app won't be released in its Sparrow-branded form. Still, the Sparrow iOS and Mac apps will continue to be available from Apple's App Stores. As far as when we'll start to see some of the Sparrow DNA integrated into Google's products, there's no timeline yet.

Of course, Sparrow is also known first for its Mac client, and the Google purchase makes a native Mac Gmail client more of a reality. We heard that the acquisition is less about "building for a specific platform," and that Sparrow's experience at building simple and powerful email clients will be helpful in bringing consistency to the Gmail ecosystem. Our sources also noted that Google isn't ruling out native Gmail clients for platforms beyond iOS and Android, and emphasized that Google wants to bring polish, "beauty," and ease of use to all of its Gmail experiences across platforms (a suggestion that a native client for Mac and PC might be in the offing). Sparrow, apparently, is a way to get there.

Source: The Verge

Grand Master

SMELTN

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you know what I just thought of... Kevin Rose was hired as a venture partner at Google, which means he helps Google buy up things that are up and coming right? Rose also LOVES his Apple hardware and always uses macbooks, iphones, etc. I be this was his doing!!! LOL

Grand Master

Ryoken

Posted
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I think you don't understand what April Fool's day is.

Or when..

I hope it's the beginning of a Google version of Outlook.. I don't see them buying the whole company, just to have them basically consult on the UI for GMail..

Grand Master

Hurmoth

Posted
Posted

Or when..

I hope it's the beginning of a Google version of Outlook.. I don't see them buying the whole company, just to have them basically consult on the UI for GMail..

What do you mean? Google has acquired the entire company. They're even moving from Paris to Mountain View to be at the Google HQ.

Google wouldn't pay nearly $25 million for a team of 5 to "consult" on Gmail.

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