I've had similar thoughts to you, and it looks like a good start.
However, for me, one of the main reasons I'm dissatisfied with GMail these days is the clutter and UX. Unfortunately your app looks too similar to GMail for me to find it an improvement.
For me, the ideal GMail killer would be simpler with more clearly labelled user controls (i.e. less cryptic symbols and more standard UI buttons).
It would also have separate FORWARD and REPLY buttons. (Why on earth these most used buttons are in a drop-down is beyond me).
Don't get me wrong - I think you're onto something - I just think you need to be very careful which parts of GMail you copy, which you improve, and which you axe completely.
If you could deliver a non-bloated, snappy GMail I would consider paying for it. I would probably prefer a cloud solution though (like GMail) because I hate setting up my own email.
I had the same problems with GMail's UX until I (1) turned on button labels so that buttons displayed the action word instead of symbol and (2) learned GMail's keyboard shortcuts. The keyboard shortcuts were the biggest help because now I barely ever need to take my hands off the keyboard to perform standard actions.
However, for me, one of the main reasons I'm dissatisfied with GMail these days is the clutter and UX. Unfortunately your app looks too similar to GMail for me to find it an improvement.
For me, the ideal GMail killer would be simpler with more clearly labelled user controls (i.e. less cryptic symbols and more standard UI buttons).
It would also have separate FORWARD and REPLY buttons. (Why on earth these most used buttons are in a drop-down is beyond me).
Don't get me wrong - I think you're onto something - I just think you need to be very careful which parts of GMail you copy, which you improve, and which you axe completely.
If you could deliver a non-bloated, snappy GMail I would consider paying for it. I would probably prefer a cloud solution though (like GMail) because I hate setting up my own email.
Good luck with it!