The email management landscape is evolving with the launch of Avec, a new mobile-first application for iOS that reimagines the inbox as a series of swipeable cards. Developed to streamline the path to “inbox zero,” the app utilizes gesture-based controls and integrated voice AI to handle high-volume communication more efficiently than traditional desktop clients.
How the Swipe-to-Action Interface Works
Avec simplifies email triage by assigning specific actions to gestures. By default, swiping left moves an email to a “later” pile, while swiping right archives or completes the item. A downward swipe flags an email as unimportant; the app learns from these preferences, eventually grouping non-essential messages to prevent them from cluttering the primary workflow.
Beyond navigation, the app prioritizes rapid responses through voice input. Users can hold a button to dictate replies, which are then transcribed as drafts. This allows for quick review and editing before sending. Unlike standalone voice-to-text keyboard extensions, Avec operates with full context of the email thread, enabling the AI to refine tone and accuracy based on the specific conversation history and the user’s personal style.
Design Philosophy and Mobile Constraints
Founder Jonathan Unikowski, a former product engineer at Replit, argues that mobile constraints drive superior design. By focusing on iOS first, the team was forced to move away from the traditional, list-heavy layouts that have dominated email for 25 years.
“On phones, you have a very small screen and no physical keyboard,” Unikowski noted. “If you’re going to convince someone to install a new app, it needs to be really good. To be really good, you need to be extremely inventive.” While the card-based interface is the standout feature, the app also retains a traditional list-based view for users who prefer a more conventional experience.
Funding and Future Roadmap
Avec is currently available in the U.S. as a free service for Gmail users, with official support for Outlook currently in development. While the platform is currently free, the company intends to introduce premium tiers, though specific features for these paid offerings remain in the planning stages.
The company has secured $8.4 million in funding to date. Notable investors include Lightspeed and Haystack, alongside industry leaders such as Replit CEO Amjad Masad, Replit’s head of AI Michele Catasta, Behance co-founder Scott Belsky, and Lenny Rachitsky.