Kiwi – A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

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PWA, the Progressive Web App, is getting more and more traction these days. It uses relatively fresh new web technologies and makes websites work better offline and can be easily wrapped in an OS-native launcher and used as a native desktop application. Google loves it, deprecating Chrome Apps for it. And Microsoft embraces it, ditching UWAs for it.

Kiwi for Gmail is no different, a Gmail and Google App for the desktop. If you use Gmail but don’t really want to keep using it in a browser, Kiwi might be your choice. It integrates your inbox with not only calendar and contacts but your docs, spreadsheets, and presentations as well. It’s an all-in-one deal for you for Gmail and Google Apps.

Welcome Guide Kiwi - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

Download the Windows version of Kiwi for Gmail, install it on your computer, and simply launch it. The first thing you will do once launched is to go through the authentication process to add your Gmail account to the app. The process is exactly the same as signing into your Gmail account in a browser.

Kiwi link an account - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

Gmail user interface will populate in right after you finish up the authentication process. Right off the bat, you know exactly how to use the app because it works exactly the same as you are in a browser.

However, on the right sidebar, that is where the difference it makes. It integrates your Google other services right there, email, calendar, contacts, and Google docs, all accessible from one place.

Kiwi for Gmail Sidebar - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

You can turn the sidebar off if you like by going to the Settings (the gear icon at the bottom left corner) and select None under the Interface tab. Then, you can still access them from the File menu instead.

Kiwi for Gmail File menu - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

I specifically like the way I can open a document, create a new spreadsheet in a separate window like a full desktop suite.

g suite 2280 - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

It even supports some of the popular Gmail Plugins. If you are using Boomerang, you should be thrilled. And there are more coming on the way.

And what’s that crescent moon right above the gear icon? It’s called Do Not Disturb and it temporarily shut out all the noise of email until tomorrow when turned on.

Kiwi for Gmail moon - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

Kiwi for Gmail is free for its Lite version but if you’d like to manage multiple Gmail accounts or would like to take full advantage of G-Suite, you will need to subscribe to its Premium version for $9.99 a year. But before you commit to its Premium version you have 30 days to try out for free.

Welcome Guide 2018 04 10 11 58 50 - Kiwi - A Native Desktop App for Gmail and G-Suite on Windows

There is something even better if you are using G Suite that requires a custom domain name rather than a consumer Gmail account. Sign in with your G Suite account as the first account in Kiwi, you get to unlock the full version with no additional costs and link up to 5 other Gmail accounts to the app the same time.

All you need to do is to go to Kiwi for G Suite page and enter your G Suite login account to get started.

The biggest difference between the enterprise version and the consumer version is how the application is licensed. Over time, there will be more features added only to the enterprise version down the road.

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