Shortwave

When it comes to email management, I think we can all agree that the traditional inbox can be a real pain. I recently started testing Shortwave, an AI email client specifically for Gmail users, and I was pleasantly surprised by how it tackles some of the common annoyances we face. Imagine having your emails intelligently bundled based on subject—suddenly, the chaos of my inbox felt more like a well-organised library. The first time I opened Shortwave, I felt like I had stepped into the future of email management. It’s like having a personal assistant who not only helps you sort through your emails but also understands your unique style of communication.

One of the standout features for me was the natural language search. Instead of struggling with keywords, I could just type what I remembered about an email, and Shortwave would pull it up. I tried it out with a complex project email, and it worked like a charm. This feature is a breath of fresh air, especially for someone who has a habit of forgetting subject lines.

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I ran into a few hiccups with the AI drafting responses. While it does a decent job of mimicking my tone, it occasionally misses the context of a conversation. On one occasion, it sent a reply that had me cringing a bit, and I had to edit it heavily before hitting send. Additionally, the pricing structure is somewhat confusing. While I appreciate the freemium model, I found myself wondering what features I’d be missing if I didn’t upgrade—there’s no clear guide on that, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

In comparison to competitors like Spark and Superhuman, Shortwave feels like it’s in a slightly different category. While those tools focus on speed and collaboration, Shortwave aims for a more personalised experience. If you're someone who thrives on organisation and is willing to embrace a slightly more complex tool to achieve it, Shortwave could be the answer to your email woes. But if you're someone who just needs basic email functionality, the learning curve and features might feel excessive.

In terms of pricing, I think the freemium model is a smart move, allowing users to dip their toes in without commitment. However, I would have appreciated more transparency on what to expect with paid tiers. All in all, Shortwave is a solid tool for busy professionals looking to regain control of their email lives. Just be prepared to do a bit of tweaking with those AI drafts and keep an eye on what you might need to pay for down the line.

Getting started with Shortwave

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Shortwave, an AI email client for Gmail that helps you manage your inbox more effectively by bundling messages and allowing for natural language search. After reading, you'll be ready to streamline your email experience.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

Step 2: Your first email search

Step 3: Get better results

Pro tip

Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. Press "?" while in Shortwave to view all available shortcuts, which can save you time navigating the interface.

Common mistake to avoid

Many users forget to adjust their notification settings after signing up. Check the settings by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings" and adjust your notification preferences to avoid being overwhelmed by alerts.