Boomerang is a service that works with your Gmail to send e-mail
later, give you follow-up reminders, and notify you if you don't hear
back within a specific time. To use the service in the past, you had to
install an extension for Chrome or
Firefox.
Now there's Boomerang for Gmail on
Android, an app that allows you to use all of the same features you expect from the Web versions on your smartphone or
tablet.
One big reason for using the app alongside the desktop version is
that you don't have to wait until you're at your desk to schedule an
e-mail or a reminder about an e-mail.
Ready to test it out? You'll need to install a copy of
Boomerang: Email App for Gmail on your Android device.
When you open the app, you'll be greeted with the option to sign in
using a Google account. After signing in, a slideshow tutorial will load
highlighting the features of the Boomerang app.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)
To start using the features specific to Boomerang, you'll need to
either write a message or select one you want to work with. If you're
writing a message, you can decide when to send it by pressing the Send
Later button at the top of the app.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)
You can use the Boomerang option to alert you if no response is
received within a specific amount of time. The Boomerang option can also
be used for new messages, if you don't feel like dealing with them
right now, but want to receive a reminder about them later.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)
The Settings menu for the app is particularly small, only letting you
adjust actions for left and right swiping. Actions to choose from
include archive, delete, and other message actions like the Boomerang
option itself.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)
You may notice that two new labels are created in your
Gmail account, one for Boomerang and one for Boomerang-Outbox, both of
which are used to track your messages with the service. Also, the style
of the inbox is very different-looking from the stock Gmail app. Sender
names, subject lines, and excerpts from messages are displayed in what
Google would call "comfortable" space. This will either make the mail
list easier to read or annoy you with wasted space.
Keep in mind that this app is brand new, so there's going to be a few
kinks that need to be worked out. If you have an issue, Boomerang
responds to user feedback very often, as seen by the app entry on Google
Play.
Even though the current app only supports Gmail, Boomerang has stated
that it will support services such as Outlook, Yahoo, and others in the
future.Nice