Unlike other collaboration tools, Spike is designed as an all-in-one solution. As previously mentioned, its conversational email style is an ideal mix of instant messaging efficiency and email professionalism. The email messenger threads themselves look a bit like well-known instant messaging services, with the emails being shown as bubbles in a chat-like format. The subject of the thread is displayed, as well as the names and thumbnail photos of the conversation participants - other than that, the focus is on the message being communicated. You can alter the mail chatting feature by selecting the message, and it shows you more information like a traditional email would.
You can use Spike with your existing email address – no need for yet another account for collaborations and group work. Furthermore, Spike's so-called open eco system means that even if your recipient does not use Spike to chat with email, the message will still go through. It is not dependent on a particular account or software.
One of Spike’s most keenly marketed functions is its ability to discern between “Priority” emails and “Other”. Indeed, this is a helpful function, because it allows you to get instant notifications regarding a deadline, for example, but to relate to less important tasks later when you have a moment. Organizing your inbox is often synonymous with deleting lots of emails and trawling through the endless conversations that have landed in your inbox the last few months. Priority Inbox aims to tackle this issue at the root of the problem, and prioritizes your emails automatically, without extra effort on your part. Notifications from social media, for example, are relegated to the “Other” inbox, so you can focus on your flow. If you don’t like the way it is done, you have the option to switch to an inbox which isn’t organized into “Priority” and “Other” emails.
Spike is not just an email service with an instant messaging aesthetic, however. The fact that you get instant notifications is an element taken from instant messaging and is part of what makes the app so helpful in increasing productivity. Just like texting and messaging services, Spike allows you to see when your email has been successfully sent, delivered, and read. The checkmark indicates the message has been sent, and a small green eye lets you know the recipient has read it. This ups the ante on your communication in the workplace, as people will want to respond knowing that you know they have read your email, and you can relax because you don’t need to fret about whether the person you’re contacting ever got your email.