A new mobile app called Avec is taking the inbox to a swiping world, using Tinder-style cards and voice-based replies to help clear your messages. The app aims to revolutionise the age-old practice of managing emails with an innovative interface that learns from user interactions.

The swipe feature allows users to categorise emails into piles for later or archive them immediately. A dedicated button enables quick voice replies, transcribing them directly into drafts which can be edited before sending. The app is currently available on iOS and supports Gmail; integration with Outlook is in development.

Founder Jonathan Unikowksi explains his vision: 'Email has barely changed since the 1990s. Through a combination of great design and AI, we could really improve this experience.' With backing from investors including Lightspeed and Haystack, Alongside Superhuman and others, Avec is part of a growing trend to rethink email management.

Unikowksi chose mobile as the platform for launch because 'constraints force creativity'. The phone's small screen and lack of physical keyboard mean every feature must be purposeful. As users increasingly access their emails on smartphones, this could herald more inventive solutions in digital interfaces.