Shortwave, an email client developed by former Google engineers, is set to unveil new AI-driven functionalities. These features include instant summaries displayed at the top of an email, a writing assistant that mirrors your writing style, an expansion of its AI assistant capabilities to iOS and Android platforms, and the introduction of multi-select AI actions.
Previously, the AI-powered summaries in Shortwave required users to click a button to generate them. However, the new instant summary feature now automatically presents a brief overview of an email or thread in a single sentence. Users can further expand this summary by clicking on the sentence or inquire the assistant about the thread, facilitating quick email processing.
The company utilizes open-source models and its GPUs to reduce costs for the instant summaries, while the longer summaries are powered by GPT-4 Turbo.
Moreover, Shortwave is broadening the reach of its AI-powered Assistant feature, initially launched in September 2023, to its mobile apps on iOS and Android. This assistant aids in drafting, web searches, and answering queries related to the active thread. Additionally, users can search their emails using the Assistant for specific information, although this feature is part of a paid subscription.
Shortwave also introduces an AI-multi-select option enabling users to select multiple threads and seek assistance from the AI regarding them. This functionality proves beneficial for searching emails on specific topics or from particular senders before seeking assistance.
The email client is also introducing an AI-powered autocomplete feature, akin to Gmail’s smart autocomplete, capable of composing longer sentences. Users can accept suggestions by pressing the tab key, streamlining the email composition process.
Andrew Lee, the co-founder of Shortwave, likens this autocomplete feature to a “GitHub Copilot for emails,” mentioning that it learns users’ writing and response patterns to formulate sentences.
These features are being gradually rolled out to users, with instant summaries, AI multi-select, and mobile assistant available to all users. However, the AI autocomplete feature is exclusive to Pro and Business plan subscribers.
Shortwave recently revamped its pricing structure, transitioning from free, standard, and enterprise plans to a \(7 per month personal plan, a \)24 per month Pro plan, and a $24 per month business plan for teams. Despite not disclosing the updated user count, the company is focusing on enhancing its business and enterprise offerings to meet the rising demand for AI-assisted email management.
In a bid to cater to power and business users, Shortwave aims to shift AI functionality from the side panel to the main editor, aiding users in discerning important content. This move aligns with the trend of integrating AI capabilities into email clients, with Microsoft and Google also incorporating AI features into Outlook and Gmail, while apps like Superhuman and Boomerang have followed suit with AI-powered functionalities for email assistance.
