But the reception of Hey also proofs that most people don't care about flawless animations and visual design with webapps. I don't like their visual brand either, but I still might get the app when I have to deal with more email stuff.
I wouldn't read too much into the reception of Hey at this stage. It has only been opened up to people who pre registered, which is to say followers of dhh/Basecamp, who are predisposed to like it.
There are tech sites and productivity channels who got their hands on it, so far I didn't notice any complaints about Heys UI. I think the bar is quite low because many other apps people use perform much worse.
Btw, I'm a follower of Basecamp and their designers, and I don't like their visual design choices :p
I'm sure they've allowed in all pre-registrants at this point. I registered sometime in the last week and was allowed in yesterday. I'm pretty sure DHH said the other day they'd open it up to the public this week sometime.
Even though allowed in all pre-registrants, I suspect that people who registering email service that costs $90/m(even trial exists) are tend to DHH follower or similar people.
