Synapse is a business-focused Ajax productivity suite (think Zimbra – email, calendar, etc.) that we covered back in August when it first launched. It’s easy to ignore Syanapse – the corporate website screams 1998 – but we’ve taken the time to look at the actual application and have come away surprisingly pleased. Version 2 will be released in the next few days and includes a browser toolbar extension and tools for importing/exporting calendar, OPML and other data.
They only offer a hosted, free version currently. The dashboard has a Netvibes, module based look and feel where email, calendar, RSS reader, bookmarking, todo list, basic cash flow ledger (?) and coworkers are shown (see image). Click on a module and the application pops up. The service also works very well on mobile devices.
The problem with SynapseLife is that it isn’t nearly as robust as Zimbra for the enterprise, and not as cool as Goowy for the consumer. And Google continues to domainate this space anyway – Google Calendar and Gmail are best of class online applications.
SynapseLife’s best shot at success may be the fact that they will soon be releasing an API, allowing third parties to create modules for the service, and to pull SynapeLife into other apps. This is a self-financed team of four developers – so they are nimble enough to change direction over time as well.
If you’re interested in other organizational solutions, check out yet-to-launch LifeIO and the much anticipated Scrybe.
Looks decent. My only concern heightend by the fact that it’s bootstrapped by 4 developers is whether corporate folks can depend and rely on it for longterm.
Web2 designs are beginning to take a toll on me any way. Some cool sites, with unsexy but working interfaces is just what I need.
-Zaid
There is a mis-spelling in the 3rd paragraph.
domainate should be dominate
I swear i was spammed by these guys. Unsolicited emails about a “broadcast” or something. And they kept coming in. Interesting that they are featured on here.
I am in the beta, and I can honestly say I am not impressed.
It’s a good idea, but it’s far too slow to load the different apps that I just get frustrated and gave up. Also, it failed to import in my Outlook contacts…which basically makes it even more useless to me.
I wasn’t that impressed either. Roger.Lee@uth.tmc.edu
I like the fact that they are self-financed. I’m sure they will be extremely dedicated to the company’s success.