Xobni Review (It’s Inbox backwards)
I finally got my beta invitation for Xobni. This plug-in for Outlook promises to make Microsoft Outlook better by:
- Fast email search
- Analytics on my email usage
- Summarises all attachments by the contact (particularly like this one)
- Extracts phone numbers from the body of email messages
- Navigate through my email by people
- Threaded conversations
- Fast email search
- Automatically suggests meeting times in a click of a button based on free space in my calendar
Here is their demo:
I have to say, I like it. Compared to say Google Desktop, which includes an Outlook search function, it takes up a lot less disk space and seems to be just as effective. It seems to work fine with IMAP, which is surprising, but great. It fits perfectly with how I use email, which is to archive everything and then just search when I need to retrieve something. I try to get my inbox down to zero every day and I don’t file emails in elaborate folder structures, although I do use Labels in Gmail, which is effectively just a folder.
Overall though, this is the new and I believe the most efficient approach for email. Forget about filing it, just dump everything into an archive folder and then just use search and a tool like Xobni to retrieve messages for you when you need them. Why Outlook doesn’t just have a search feature that works, I’ll never know. Xobni is definitely going to be acquired by Microsoft though, what other possible exit could they have?
Overall then, a big recommendation for Xobni. When you get between 50 and 100 messages per day, anything that saves you some time is a must have. If you want a beta invitation, just let me know, I’ve got 5 left at the moment.
Hi,
I’m desperately searching for an invitation code for xobni, please please please tell me you’ve still got some! if you do i’ll be you freind for life (or will just leave you alone never to be heard of again, depends what you want, lol) but please give me a code if you’ve got one! thanks a lot, just email me at
jim (at) bunnyfoot (dot) com
thanks again
Sure Jim. This has been sent to you now.
Cheers
Jon
There is also Lookout search plugin for Outlook, which I think MS bought already some two or so years ago. It, too, works much better for Outlook usage than GDS but has a few rough corners and I have no idea if MS has rather killed it than continued its development. Some commented that it was supposed to become a standard feature in the new ‘Vista’ Outlook. But I haven’t heard/followed-up on that.
I hadn’t heard of that, although they do have “Instant Search” in Outlook 2007, maybe that is the Lookout plug-in? Microsoft’s Instant Search is an optional install (as in would you like a search engine that actually finds stuff or would just like the completely useless one that comes as standard?) and was going to take up a load of disk space, so I uninstalled it again.
I’ve actually discovered the Xobni Analytics functionality now, which gives you amazing detail on your email usage. I think these guys are going to do well.
Kindly provide a invitation for Xobni. I am trying other Outlook software today (SimplyFile) and would be greatful if you could respond today so I could try both in the same install. I put my email in the required field as requested if you are unable to discover it please let me know here.
thanks in adavance.
Walt
Sure Walt, sent. You should get an email from Xobni. Cheers.
Can I possibly get a download code for Xobni? It looks to be a real time saver. Thanks
Kindly providea invitation for Xobni. I am trying outlook 2007 for the company over here.
Thanks in adavance.
Jeroen from the netherlands.
Could you provide me with a download for Xobni? I would be greatful if you could respond soon so I could try it. Unfortunately there’s a waiting list at xobni.com. I would be very grateful to you
thanks in adavance.
Leinelot (at) hotmail (dot) com
Hi Jon,
I would be very grateful if you could send a Xobni invite. I am currently buried in Outlook and this little extension would save so much time
Thank very much,
Jay