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July 22, 2013

Handle – Take Control Of Your Day

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Getting a handle on your email inbox is easier said than done. As soon as you clear your inbox out, more messages start trickling in. Handle is a web-application that provides its users with tools to “triage” their inboxes, quickly sorting emails, identifying the most important ones, and turning them into task lists that serve as a blueprint for the day ahead.

Integrate Handle into your existing email workflow, and your inbox will get a completely new look. Emails are filtered into a JavaScript application, where you can quickly sort messages and respond inline. Each time you click on an email, you’ll be encouraged to select an “action” from a drop-down box. Mark the email as new, archive it, delete it, label it, move it, or mark it as complete. Handle offers a number of keyboard shortcuts, which allow you to sort emails in record time. Once you’re done with your initial sort, go back through your list and associate tasks with particular emails, then set priorities based on importance. You can add individual emails, specific ideas, or action items to your task list, focusing in on any “must do” items that should be completed “today.”

Based on your efforts, Handle will create a priority list of emails that need to be dealt with ASAP. You can quickly view a calendar of your day (based on the tasks you need to get done) along the left-hand side of the Handle app, complete with an hour-by-hour breakdown showing what tasks are coming up next.

Practical Uses:

  • Get a head start on your day
  • Decrease the time you spend sorting through email
  • Make sure to respond to important messages from your boss
  • Turn assignment emails into scheduled tasks

Insider Tips:

  • Handle is compatible with Gmail
  • Multiple emails can be added to a single task
  • Users can schedule time to work on individual tasks
  • Metadata can be included to add context to tasks

What we liked:

  • Handle focuses on priorities, rather than just getting your inbox to zero
  • Keyboard shortcuts help people quickly sort through messages
  • Users can create a list of everything they need to accomplish in the day
  • People can use Handle and their other email clients at the same time

What we didn’t like:

  • Full integration with Microsoft Exchange isn’t expected until later this year

Alternatives:

Company Info:

  • Launched: April 2013 (Private Beta)
  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California
  • Founded by: Shawn Carolan and Jonathan McCoy
  • Web site: https://www.handle.com

Costs:

  • Free

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