Mailplane is an e-mail client for Mac OS X that "wraps" the Gmail service as a site-specific browser. This gives the user a more application-like experience than using Gmail in a browser, including the ability to drag and drop files into attachments, use the OS X Address Book and Keychain,[1] use spell checking, easily send images, and use Gmail as the outbound mailer when clicking on mailto links. It is written using Mac OS X's Cocoa and WebKit APIs.

Mailplane
Developer(s)uncomplex gmbh
Initial releaseDecember 31, 2007; 16 years ago (2007-12-31)
Written inObjective-C
Operating systemMac OS X
Available inEnglish
TypeEmail client
LicenseShareware
Websitemailplaneapp.com

Since July 8, 2020, of Mailplane version 3 no longer has access to Gmail data, rendering it inoperable. Later versions (Version 4+) are approved by Google and will continue to operate.[2]

Since June 6, 2021, Mailplane is no longer for sale due to Google considering their method of email access (using embedded browser) to be a security issue.[3]

Reception

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CNet awards it a five-of-five star rating,[4] while Macworld gives it a 3.5 out of 5.[5] The Verge does not provide a rating as such, but rates it highly in their review,[6] while a roundup of similar software by AppleInsider stated "MailPlane offers the best OS X experience of any third party mail application."[7]

References

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  1. ^ Chartier, David (September 4, 2007). "Mailplane 1.51 brings media browser, Address Book Support". Ars Technica. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  2. ^ "Email from Google". Mailplane. July 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Mailplane stopped selling licenses". Mailplane. June 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Jason Parker, "Mailplane for Mac", CNet Reviews, 19 December 2008
  5. ^ Alderman, Nathan (12 June 2013). "Mac Gems: Mailplane 3 melds Gmail and your Mac". Macworld.
  6. ^ Ricker, Thomas (11 May 2016). "First Click: Mailplane is the plainest of all Mac email apps, that's why it's great". The Verge.
  7. ^ Edwards, Marty (17 January 2016). "Roundup: The best Mac email clients for push Gmail". AppleInsider.