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dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
Spark for iPad is here - first impression: superb app
I guess my search for an ios mail client ends here :)

I decided to give it a shot too using my iCloud email that pushes. After sending myself test emails, I noticed that the stock Apple mail app delivered almost immediately whereas the spark app delivered 20-30 seconds later. Anyway to reduce this? Setting I'm missing?
 

GerritV

macrumors 68020
May 11, 2012
2,265
2,739
I decided to give it a shot too using my iCloud email that pushes. After sending myself test emails, I noticed that the stock Apple mail app delivered almost immediately whereas the spark app delivered 20-30 seconds later. Anyway to reduce this? Setting I'm missing?

Not sure if there's a setting.
I just did a similar test, and both Apple Mail and Spark received my email simultaneously after a few seconds.
Let me admit that, early this morning, my iPhone wasn't syncing with iCloud anymore.
So, instead of Spark, I rather suspect iCloud of having trouble - yet again :confused:
 

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
Not sure if there's a setting.
I just did a similar test, and both Apple Mail and Spark received my email simultaneously after a few seconds.
Let me admit that, early this morning, my iPhone wasn't syncing with iCloud anymore.
So, instead of Spark, I rather suspect iCloud of having trouble - yet again :confused:

I mean 20 seconds isn't something to really cry about but I went to iCloud mail for its instant push. So far, mail sent to myself shows its coming in just behind the mail.app. I wonder if this is due to maybe their servers bogging down with all the people downloading and setting up the new iPad version. I even have background refresh on too. I'll test again later and see if it's closer to simultaneous.
 

pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
Spark for iPad is here - first impression: superb app
I guess my search for an ios mail client ends here :)

Spark is very nice with it looks + attachments + search but still has some things to work on:

Badge app icon settings:
- badge icon - The badge app icon only works with background app refresh on and then still sometimes doesn't show a badge number. I've turned on 'show badge' within the settings of the app for both my e-mail accounts and for 'new messages only' is ticked. it although when you open the app you see new e-mails. I have also allowed showing the badge app icon in the 'Settings app' > 'Notifications' for Spark. In the Spark app 'Protect Notifications Actions' is turned off (at Settings > Privacy).

The solution to the badge 'problem' in my case was that: You have to go to the Spark app > Settings > Accounts > press each mail account and set Notification Preferences to 'All'. In my case it was set to 'Smart' with one account and another was set to 'No notifications' for some reason. Maybe it would be good if this was set to 'All' as a standard.

This is also described in their FAQ.

Bugs:
- sync via iCloud issues - on my iPhone 5s the 'Sync settings via Cloud is turned off each time when I fully close the app. This is not the case on my iPad mini2. Both are running iOS9.2.1.

- delay in response/sending when you try to share an URL in another third party app and when I use the iOS Share Sheet to send it via Spark (or any other e-mail app I have). With Spark the response is slower then e.g. with Outlook or the Apple Mail app.

- e-mail don't show immediately when you open up the app (although the badge icon shows e.g. 2 new e-mails and background app refresh is on for Spark).

Missing features:
- doesn't show attachments above the e-mail message
- option to show avatars
- task/action list for e-mails,
- TouchID security/password
- save multiple attachments to the cloud
- translation: support more languages (e.g. Dutch)
- OSX/Windows support
- snooze to desktop feature

I decided to give it a shot too using my iCloud email that pushes. After sending myself test emails, I noticed that the stock Apple mail app delivered almost immediately whereas the spark app delivered 20-30 seconds later. Anyway to reduce this? Setting I'm missing?

Not sure if there's a setting.
I just did a similar test, and both Apple Mail and Spark received my email simultaneously after a few seconds.
Let me admit that, early this morning, my iPhone wasn't syncing with iCloud anymore.
So, instead of Spark, I rather suspect iCloud of having trouble - yet again :confused:

I also have that. My Spark app on iPhone doesn't store the icloud sync although I turned it on many times. As soon as I close the app it loses the sync setting. Strangly this is not the case with my iPad mini2. Both are running the same iOS9.2.1. version and both have iCloud access.

I mean 20 seconds isn't something to really cry about but I went to iCloud mail for its instant push. So far, mail sent to myself shows its coming in just behind the mail.app. I wonder if this is due to maybe their servers bogging down with all the people downloading and setting up the new iPad version. I even have background refresh on too. I'll test again later and see if it's closer to simultaneous.

I have my e-mail set to fetch every 30 minutes now for Spark and have also turned on background app refresh for Spark (only). This morning I had 4 e-mail but didn't see a badge icon although this was all set. As soon as I opened the Spark app i noticed the 4 new e-mail showing up and these were all send in the night when the iPhone was in standby.
 
Last edited:

madeirabhoy

macrumors 68000
Oct 26, 2012
1,673
622
will read this thread but anyone with a pointer much appreciated.

i need an email app that doesnt use apple mail's account settings.

basically i want to keep apple mail for personal emails, and a separate app for work account and another account that tends to get junk but is my logins for sites so for passwords its good to have it.

the first app i found that worked separately was MyMail and i was using it for a while, but i didnt like certain things.
1. it hasnt got a front page view showing both accounts
2. it worked well up til last week then all of a sudden lots of emails werent going through. seems to be a clash between mymail and my work wifi connection.

ive just downloaded boxer lite to try it. it only allows 1 account though so if i keepit, itll cost me €5 for the full version.


any others i should try?
 

pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
i need an email app that doesnt use apple mail's account settings.
1. it hasnt got a front page view showing both accounts

any others i should try?

I'm not really sure what you mean with 'need an e-mail app that doesn't use Apple Mail's account settings?
I'm not really sure what you mean with front page view showing both accounts.

Here you can find my comparison of great e-mail apps out there and their (lack of) features.
Spark is also free to try and is pretty amazing. I also like Airmail but that will costs you 5 dollars/euros for iOS and a few more for Mac use. Outlook is also pretty good although it lacks a huge feature (search in e-mails older then 2 months).
 

reyalP

macrumors 6502
Oct 10, 2012
379
130
Spark is very nice with it looks + attachments + search but still has some things to work on:

Badge app icon settings:
- badge icon - The badge app icon only works with background app refresh on and then still sometimes doesn't show a badge number. I've turned on 'show badge' within the settings of the app for both my e-mail accounts and for 'new messages only' is ticked. it although when you open the app you see new e-mails. I have also allowed showing the badge app icon in the 'Settings app' > 'Notifications' for Spark. In the Spark app 'Protect Notifications Actions' is turned off (at Settings > Privacy).

The solution to the badge 'problem' in my case was that: You have to go to the Spark app > Settings > Accounts > press each mail account and set Notification Preferences to 'All'. In my case it was set to 'Smart' with one account and another was set to 'No notifications' for some reason. Maybe it would be good if this was set to 'All' as a standard.

This is also described in their FAQ.

I have Spark setup on both my iPhone and iPad. The problem I have is I can have the badge icon enabled on my phone but not my iPad. I go into the spark settings and tick to enable badge icon on the iPad but it will not stay on. I can only have badge icon show on once device at a time. Anyone know if this is a function of the program or my problem?
 

stulaw11

Suspended
Jan 25, 2012
1,391
1,624
Yup, for me Outlook is the first choice and I have been using it for quite a long time on both my iPhone and iPad.

Outlook is close. They're still missing a few key features.

If you look under settings and feedback and suggest a feature you can see what they plan to add.

But missing- HTML signatures (basic basic basic thing), cannot search email back more than about 60 days (dealbreaker for my business email), cant search calendar (an annoying quirk that is on their planned list), etc. There are a bunch of smaller weird omissions, but this 2 biggest ones are dealbreakers considering this is supposed to be outlook aka business email.

It's close though, but taking way too long to add some of these very basic features.
 
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madeirabhoy

macrumors 68000
Oct 26, 2012
1,673
622
I'm not really sure what you mean with 'need an e-mail app that doesn't use Apple Mail's account settings?
I'm not really sure what you mean with front page view showing both accounts.

Here you can find my comparison of great e-mail apps out there and their (lack of) features.
Spark is also free to try and is pretty amazing. I also like Airmail but that will costs you 5 dollars/euros for iOS and a few more for Mac use. Outlook is also pretty good although it lacks a huge feature (search in e-mails older then 2 months).

cheers mate.

an e-mail app that doesn't use Apple Mail's account settings
i want 2 separate apps looking after 2 separate sets of email accounts.

the built in mail app takes its accounts from those listed in the setttings, mail, contacts, calendars.
so do some other apps that i tried. i install them and they dont ask me to set up accounts, they just use whats in settings.

I'm not really sure what you mean with front page view showing both accounts.
Apple Mail has one. if you open that you can be in the front screen which shows
Mailboxes
all inboxes
then lists them separately. so you can see at a glance what you have unread in each account or folder.

MyMail doesnt. i have 2 accounts in that, work and junk, but i have to be in one or the other, theres no front screen showing a summary.
 
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pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
I have Spark setup on both my iPhone and iPad. The problem I have is I can have the badge icon enabled on my phone but not my iPad. I go into the spark settings and tick to enable badge icon on the iPad but it will not stay on. I can only have badge icon show on once device at a time. Anyone know if this is a function of the program or my problem?

Hmm I have to try tonight when I have access to my iPad to check if I'll have the same problem. I do have something similar with iCloud sync. It won't stay on on my iPhone (when I close the app and re-open it's turned off again) but it does stay active on my iPad.
 

JNGold

macrumors 6502a
Aug 25, 2009
889
73
cheers mate.

an e-mail app that doesn't use Apple Mail's account settings
i want 2 separate apps looking after 2 separate sets of email accounts.

the built in mail app takes its accounts from those listed in the setttings, mail, contacts, calendars.
so do some other apps that i tried. i install them and they dont ask me to set up accounts, they just use whats in settings.

You can use as many mail apps as you want, just set up each with the account(s) you want them to pull from. If you don't want to use Apple's mail app, turn off background refresh and notifications. Then load up whatever (Outlook, Spark, Airmail) and configure each one with the accounts you want. All third-party apps require you to set up the accounts initially independent of Apple's mail settings.

Outlook is close. They're still missing a few key features.

cant search calendar (an annoying quirk that is on their planned list), etc. There are a bunch of smaller weird omissions, but this 2 biggest ones are dealbreakers considering this is supposed to be outlook aka business email.

It's close though, but taking way too long to add some of these very basic features.

I agree that Outlook is the most polished amongst the big 3 (Spark, Airmail, Outlook). As far as the calendar is concern, I know it might be a PIA, but the Outlook calendar shares the same DB as the iOS calendar so searching for events can be done in Spotlight.
 

madeirabhoy

macrumors 68000
Oct 26, 2012
1,673
622
You can use as many mail apps as you want, just set up each with the account(s) you want them to pull from. If you don't want to use Apple's mail app, turn off background refresh and notifications. Then load up whatever (Outlook, Spark, Airmail) and configure each one with the accounts you want. All third-party apps require you to set up the accounts initially independent of Apple's mail settings.



I agree that Outlook is the most polished amongst the big 3 (Spark, Airmail, Outlook). As far as the calendar is concern, I know it might be a PIA, but the Outlook calendar shares the same DB as the iOS calendar so searching for events can be done in Spotlight.


cheers JN and pacorob, tried sparkle and prefer that and its free so all good.
 

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
I have Spark setup on both my iPhone and iPad. The problem I have is I can have the badge icon enabled on my phone but not my iPad. I go into the spark settings and tick to enable badge icon on the iPad but it will not stay on. I can only have badge icon show on once device at a time. Anyone know if this is a function of the program or my problem?

i had this issue too, iPad worked fine but the iPhone wouldn't keep the badge ticker on. i deleted and reinstalled the app and that fixed the issue.
 

max2

macrumors 603
May 31, 2015
6,421
2,044
I am trying Outlook iOS right now and it doesn't have a option for POP email server. :(

I don't use IMAP.

Any help ?
 

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
just downloaded Airmail and joined their iOS beta program too. actually liking it a lot more than spark.
 

pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
I am trying Outlook iOS right now and it doesn't have a option for POP email server. :(I don't use IMAP. Any help ?

Outlook indeed doesn't support POP. Just use Spark or Airmail instead which do offer support for POP3.

just downloaded Airmail and joined their iOS beta program too. actually liking it a lot more than spark.

You mean Airmail beta for iPad? I'm using the app on the iPhone which is already in the App Store for quite a while (but without iPad support).
 

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
Outlook indeed doesn't support POP. Just use Spark or Airmail instead which do offer support for POP3.



You mean Airmail beta for iPad? I'm using the app on the iPhone which is already in the App Store for quite a while (but without iPad support).

i bought airmail first. then joined their iOS and mac beta programs. so now I'm using beta for both, however i deleted the mac beta since it doesn't allow iCloud sync since its not through test flight. and yes, i have airmail on my iPad too.
 

pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
i bought airmail first. then joined their iOS and mac beta programs. so now I'm using beta for both, however i deleted the mac beta since it doesn't allow iCloud sync since its not through test flight. and yes, i have airmail on my iPad too.

Aha nice that you already have access to Airmail on iPad too. How is it? Any idea when it will be released to the public? I also signed up for the iPad beta ages ago but still waiting on access.
 

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
Aha nice that you already have access to Airmail on iPad too. How is it? Any idea when it will be released to the public? I also signed up for the iPad beta ages ago but still waiting on access.

I had access within hours. Their developers are very active. Send them a message on Twitter and they will likely add you. And the beta works well.
 

pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
I had access within hours. Their developers are very active. Send them a message on Twitter and they will likely add you. And the beta works well.

I have send them a tweet and DM a while ago. I will send again another one for the iOS beta for the iPad.

I still think the iOS iPhone app is pretty buggy as far e.g. badge icon is concerned. I have similar issues with Spark. Outlook, CloudMagic and Apple's Mail do not have these issues.
 

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,515
658
NJ
I have send them a tweet and DM a while ago. I will send again another one for the iOS beta for the iPad.

I still think the iOS iPhone app is pretty buggy as far e.g. badge icon is concerned. I have similar issues with Spark. Outlook, CloudMagic and Apple's Mail do not have these issues.

Airmails badge or overall user interface gives me no issues. stupid spark's badge settings won't stay enabled now no matter what i do.
 

pacorob

macrumors 68020
Apr 8, 2010
2,118
507
the Netherlands
We've added iPad and Watch OS 2 support to the latest 1.6 update:)

best regards,
Readdle Team

We have seen the update. I was also part of the beta program. I love the iPad support (including Slide Over) and Landscape support. Still there are quite some things to fix though or add in a future version to make it the perfect e-mail app in my opinion.

Feature wishes:

- (option to) show attachments above message,
- option to show avatars (inbox and/or conversations),
- task/action list for e-mails,
- TouchID security/password,
- save multiple attachments to the cloud,
- support more languages (e.g. Dutch)
- OSX/Windows/Android support
- snooze to desktop feature.

See also my comparison sheet here with all major e-mail apps.

Bugs:
Badge app icon
: - The badge app icon only works with background app refresh on and then still most of the time it doesn't show a badge number. I've turned on 'show badge' within the settings of the app for both my e-mail accounts and for 'new messages only' is ticked. it although when you open the app you see new e-mails. I have also allowed showing the badge app icon in the 'Settings app' > 'Notifications' for Spark. In the Spark app 'Protect Notifications Actions' is turned off (at Settings > Privacy). The solution to the badge 'problem' in my case was that: You have to go to the Spark app > Settings > Accounts > press each mail account and set Notification Preferences to 'All'. In my case it was set to 'Smart' with one account and another was set to 'No notifications' for some reason. Maybe it would be good if this was set to 'All' as a standard. It would also be good to have the option to choose to use push e-mail from a third party server besides the option to use Apples fetch/push in iOS which you are now using. It doesn't matter if I set it to push or fetch (e.g. 15 minutes). This is also described in your FAQ but it doesn't work as it should. But i see a lot of comments on e.g. idownloadblog and Twitter that they have issues with the badge icon and I still have it too.

- sync via iCloud issues - on my iPhone 5s the 'Sync settings via Cloud is turned off each time when I fully close the app. This is not the case on my iPad mini2. Both are running iOS9.2.1. - delay in response/sending when you try to share an URL in another third party app and when I use the iOS Share Sheet to send it via Spark (or any other e-mail app I have). With Spark the response is slower then e.g. with Outlook or the Apple Mail app. This was also their in your previous release and unfortunately still is.

- e-mail doesn't show immediately when you open up the app (although the badge icon shows e.g. 2 new e-mails and background app refresh is on for Spark). This was also their in your previous release and unfortunately still is.

- iOS Share sheet delay issues - Spark supports the iOS Share Sheet but when I use it via e.g. Safari there is a delay in response to open up the app and also when i press send to send the actual e-mail in comparison to other e-mail apps such as Outlook, Apple's Mail app.

==================

I also found another nice e-mail app called SlideMail but it isn't there yet where Spark, Airmail or Outlook are but it's off to a great start. I also added it to the e-mail comparison sheet in the other topic I mentioned already quite some time ;)
 
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gaanee

macrumors 65816
Dec 8, 2011
1,435
249
One feature I would like to request is Badge App icon without Background app refresh. I like Spark design but prefer to keep Background app refresh off and so have to rely on other mail apps which seem to do that for new mail notification.

We've added iPad and Watch OS 2 support to the latest 1.6 update:)

best regards,
Readdle Team
 
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