Apple Working on Redesigned iCloud Mail for Web

[MacRumors]

Apple has begun testing a major redesign to the iCloud Mail experience on the web, bringing its webmail service more in line with recent design changes made in macOS Big Sur.

The new design, currently in beta, reported first by 9to5mac, features a cleaner overall design and feel than the current public experience of iCloud Mail for the web. The current, soon-to-be previous version features thin typography, lighter colors, and design elements from iOS 7. Additionally, the new design allows users to compose emails in a smaller window in the middle of the screen, compared to opening an entirely new window.

As the new design is in beta testing alongside iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey, and tvOS 15, it will likely be made available for all iCloud web users later this fall. Users wanting to try the new iCloud Mail design can check out the beta website for iCloud.

Article Link: Apple Working on Redesigned iCloud Mail for Web

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wonder how many people use the web interface on a regular basis. With all the different devices available for use at any given time, I find that method of use quicker. The only time I access my iCloud online, is to checkbook make sure my contacts sync is accurate.

 

[nfl46]

Is the mail app still trash? I haven’t used it in years on my Apple devices.

 

[Cybbe]

I don’t know why why iCloud.com is so poor, but I suspect Apple doesn’t really care and want people to use Macs, iPhones and iPads and that the subpar experience is deliberate.

 

[Jeaz]

Redesign is nice but the features in mail certainly could do with but of focus from Apple. Maybe these new extensions will come to all version of Mail.

 

[Jeaz]

I wonder how many people use the web interface on a regular basis. With all the different devices available for use at any given time, I find that method of use quicker. The only time I access my iCloud online, is to checkbook make sure my contacts sync is accurate.

I use it occasionally on my work PC. And my dad who have a PC uses it a lot

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don’t know why why iCloud.com is so poor, but I suspect Apple doesn’t really care and want people to use Macs, iPhones and iPads and that the subpar experience is deliberate.

I find the web interface to be clunky and often times slow.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Is the mail app still trash? I haven’t used it in years on my Apple devices.

It works fine for me for sending and receiving. The only ongoing problem I have with the app is the red badge doesn’t always disappear across all devices when it should.

 

[Jason2000]

I never use iCloud. It is horrible and an embarrassment. But using the web does not sell expensive Apple gear.

 

[koil]

Those who use iCloud mail, how is spam filtering? Does it support delayed send (and undo send)? Does it support rules for processing incoming mail and automatically tagging/marking read/etc?

Any idea whether the iCloud mail custom domain support will allow multiple custom domains or just the one? Catch-all addresses?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Those who use iCloud mail, how is spam filtering? Does it support delayed send (and undo send)?

Any idea whether the iCloud mail custom domain support will allow multiple custom domains or just the one?

1) No and no (send and unsend)
2) We have no information about that at this point

 

[mcilwraith]

the web interface feels dated and slow. I have to use it at work sometimes. Dark Mode? for the love of god...

 

[Feyl]

That's not a redesign because there's no actual design in it. There are only boxes, fields and very ugly icons. Honestly, it shouldn't take Apple more than a week to do it. I hope the new version will be at least faster.

 

[rpmurray]

I'd like to say that it can't get any worse, but Apple has proven me wrong in the past.

 

[kylew1212]

Those who use iCloud mail, how is spam filtering? Does it support delayed send (and undo send)? Does it support rules for processing incoming mail and automatically tagging/marking read/etc?

Any idea whether the iCloud mail custom domain support will allow multiple custom domains or just the one? Catch-all addresses?

1) No and no.
2) We have no information about that at this point

While iCloud mail is slow and clunky, it does have rules. I use the iCloud mail rules to filter many of my emails actually. Unfortunately they must be set in the iCloud mail web interface, but are applied to all mail coming in. It even filters mail coming into the Mail application on iPhone/iPad/Mac..

It's super clunky, but the iCloud mail rules work. I have several that send straight to trash, mark some things as read, and that send certain emails to certain folders.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I find the web interface to be clunky and often times slow.

It horrible and the reason why my personal email is on Outlook.com. Microsoft IMHO has the best webmail. Their webmail is better than Outlook for the Mac.

 

[MacBoy88]

FFS…still lacks threaded messages! Gmail is the last Google service I’m using but iCloud mail is just poor.

 

[Apple_Robert]

It horrible and the reason why my personal email is on Outlook.com. Microsoft IMHO has the best webmail. Their webmail is better than Outlook for the Mac.

I am glad I don’t need to use the web interface on a regular basis. Otherwise, I would probably be continually irritated. Lol

 

[Apple_Robert]

While iCloud mail is slow and clunky, it does have rules. I use the iCloud mail rules to filter many of my emails actually. Unfortunately they must be set in the iCloud mail web interface, but are applied to all mail coming in. It even filters mail coming into the Mail application on iPhone/iPad/Mac..

It's super clunky, but the iCloud mail rules work. I have several that send straight to trash, mark some things as read, and that send certain emails to certain folders.

My response was for send and unsend, which I have amended. I should have clarified my response better. Thanks for noting the rest.

 

[b656]

Finally! The current version looks ancient compared to Gmail.

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

I am glad I don’t need to use the web interface on a regular basis. Otherwise, I would probably be continually irritated. Lol

I have to on Windows. Which I only use when I have too .

I am not a Microsoft fan. I personally can't stand Windows/10. They have no ecosystem what so ever for consumers. They are constantly changing stuff for change sake, canceling stuff, changing the names of products (example - Live Communications server became Office Communications server, which became Lync, which became Skype for Business which is now Teams).

That said their cloud products, Azure, Office 365 etc are really good compared to others. The OneDrive client for the Mac is about to get an update and will now sync your desktop. I will stop using iCloud when this happens because OneDrive has versioning, and its easier to backup your OneDrive (synced locally > Time Machine) vs iCloud....as in is it all on my Mac?? and really getting backed up to Time Machine?

 

[Danie10]

Great news! Was very disappointed though to see the Reminders app in iCloud (even beta) still has no way to set/change date/time for reminders. It sort of cripples the use of Reminders.

 

[ersan191]

I care a lot less about how it looks and more about how slow it is and how few options for server side rules there are.

 

[McTaste]

give us web based imessage!

 

[koil]

My response was for send and unsend, which I have amended. I should have clarified my response better. Thanks for noting the rest.

Yeah sorry that's my bad, I edited my comment a couple of times there hehe. Thanks for the answers both of you!

I really really really want to just ditch Google entirely, but it's difficult when there are so few options for good productivity suites that support custom domains. Fingers crossed this is the start of a new era for Apples cloud services so that I can finally leave Google entirely.

In order to do that though I need to have multiple custom domains with catch-all support, a good spam filter, threaded conversations, rules, and preferably delayed send because I always forget something that it appears I can only remember once I have seemingly sent my email.