Boomerang gets pushy with Gmail notifications, multi-message selection
Boomerang's latest update adds tweaked functionality, moving it from one-trick unicorn territory to a possible Gmail app-replacement. Developer Baydin's improvements include Google Cloud Messaging-based push notifications, the ability to "send from" and multi-message selection for bulk mailbox organizing. If you're a fan of the email giant's new tabbed inbox, you're out of luck for now -- everything here is still lumped into one list. If you ask politely enough though, we're sure the dev will consider supporting it; version 0.8's shiny features were community suggested, after all.
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Boomerang for Android: Updated with Push Notifications, Multi-Select, 'Send From'
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (JULY 26, 2013)– Baydin, an innovative startup company that produces Boomerang for Android and productivity enhancements for email platforms, announced today the update of Boomerang for Android to include several user requestedfeatures, including push notifications, multiselect,'send from,' and an overall smoother experience.
Boomerang for Android utilized the best available technology to create push notifications that allow the user to interact with messages without having to enter the application. For phones that support expanded notifications(Android versions 4.1 and above), notifications include the sender, subject, and body of the message plus actions that allow users to archive, Boomerang, and reply to messages from the notification itself. Older phones will still receive notifications that show the sender and the subject; users can tap the notification to enter the application and take action from there. Additionally, Boomerang for Android's notifications use Google Cloud Messaging, so they won't drain the phone's battery.
To access notification settings, first click settings (it's been relocated to underneath your folders). Because a user might not want to receive notifications for all accounts, locate the account to be modified, click 'Account Settings,' and then choose 'Notification Settings.' Notifications can be turned on or off completely, or you can customize whether you'd like to include sound, vibrate, notification light, and 'each new message.' Deselecting 'each new message' means that users only get a notification for the first new message received; the messages following will be tallied on the original notification but users won't be alerted for each one. When the notifications are cleared, the process starts over. This is a great option for users who want to know when they have new email, but don't want to be bothered by the constant buzzing of each individual message.
To multiselect messages, use a long press gesturea touch that's held in the same position for a momenton the first message, and then tap other messages to multiselect. Display actions pop up at the bottom of the screen, meaning users can archive, delete, Boomerang, label, or 'mark as read' en masse. To deselect a message individually, tap it, to deselect en masse, tap the phone's back button or the envelope icon in the bottom left corner of the display actions.
Finally, Boomerang for Android has improved its Gmail functionality by allowing users to send from a different email address within the application (users need to first set this up under Gmail's 'Send mail as'). Simply open 'Account Settings' and select 'Add Address.' To use 'Send From' when composing a message, click the down arrow in the 'To:' field and select the address to send from.
The application should update automatically, but if it doesn't, readers can download Boomerang for Android at
https://play.google.com/store/apps/detailsid=com.baydin.boomerang&referrer=utm_source%3Db4a_engadgetlink%26utm_medium%3Dpress
