Astro Launches Update, Introduces Built-In Calendar Feature – Digital Trends
In the ever-changing landscape of digital communication, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we approach email writing. Explore the impact of intelligent algorithms and natural language processing in crafting engaging email content and optimizing delivery strategies in this blog series. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a communication professional, discover the powerful synergy between AI and effective email communication strategies.
On Wednesday, January 24, Astro launched version 3.0 — a new version of its email assistant app for iOS, Mac, Android, and Slack. Aside from a redesigned interface, the update also brings a variety of new features such as a built-in calendar, an extended list of Astrobot commands, and more.
With Astro, you can use common email features to help you manage your inbox such as setting reminders to answer them later, tracking emails you have opened, along with scheduling ones as well. In comparison to other email clients on the market, Astro uses artificial intelligence to track your behavior and create a more personalized experience.
The app also includes a personal built-in assistant known as Astrobot. It can detect questions from your emails, send you reminders, and offer suggestions for emails to get rid of.
In its latest update, users can now improve their workflow by adding their Gmail and Office 365 calendars. After selecting which accounts you like to use, you can then add or update events within Astro.
Your calendar will also keep track of your other activity throughout the app. If you schedule an email to be sent later or send a reminder through Astrobot, it will be added to your Calendar so that you can easily see what is on the agenda for the day.
Last summer, Astro introduced its Slack integration — allowing Astro to send emails in the form of a direct message between you and Astrobot. You’re able to reply to emails, delete them, or archive them without having to leave the messaging platform. With Calendar, you can now ask Astrobot specific commands like “When am I free tomorrow?” straight from Slack.
Astro 3.0 also brings improvements to Astrobot’s capabilities when it comes to its Insights, which you can now view separately. In addition to following up on emails and questions, the app’s A.I. will identify times or due dates when it comes to events and tasks.
With its new mentions feature, you will be able to reference a teammate in an email. By tagging them the same way you would on social media or Slack, they receive the notification in their Insights.
Other new features include Astrobot’s ability to respond to more commands such as create new folders, search emails by name or subject. With the Zap command, you will also be able to unsubscribe from, archive, or delete emails from a specific folder, mark and move emails, as well as empty your junk folder.
To accompany all the new features, Astro received a revamp. The mobile app now includes a bottom bar with five tabs — to simplify navigation for Astrobot Insights and the Calendar — along with additional filters to the top of your inbox, and the option to add a photo avatar. As for the Mac, you will find Ask Astrobot on the bottom left sidebar and Insights on the top.
Apple’s Journal app in iOS 17 is like a basic notetaking app supercharged with AI. It offers prompts and suggestions based on what you do throughout the day to help you journal your daily entries.
While the app is a basic white screen with a “+” icon, it’s what happens after you tap on that icon that sets it apart from Notes or other journaling apps. I’ve been using the app for a little while now, and while it’s not perfect, it is off to a really interesting start.
Using iOS 17’s Journal app
Software updates, the lifeblood of our phones, are a confusing mess — and we need to let manufacturers know there’s a problem. Those are bold words for a seemingly boring aspect of our phones, but it’s true.
We absolutely need updates regularly delivered to our phones, but we don’t need questionable features so they become “newsworthy” events, and updates need to be better presented to the people actually using the device itself.
Marketing is taking over
Donating to charity is a great way to make a positive impact, and it doesn’t have to be limited to just the holiday season. You can donate throughout the year, but finding the right organization can be challenging. Fortunately, there are many apps available to help you with this.
No matter what type of smartphone you have, whether it’s an iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 8 Pro, or any other mobile device, various apps can assist you in selecting the right charity to support those in need. Better still, some of the apps don’t even want to collect your money. Instead, they want you to exercise or walk your dog for charity, give blood, and more.
Blood Donor
Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.