Meet Convey: The GTK4/libadwaita Fork Reviving the Geary Email Experience
Convey is a newly launched email client for Linux, built as a GTK4/libadwaita fork of the popular Geary application, and it boasts support for Microsoft 365 accounts. This project emerges shortly after another email client, Postcard, which also draws from Geary‘s code but is more of a tribute than a continuation. Unlike Postcard, Convey is a hard fork, meaning it aims to carry on the legacy of Geary without any official affiliation with the GNOME Foundation.
Initially released in 2012, Geary was designed to offer a unique user experience, showcasing webmail-like conversation threading that grouped email threads together. Though many email applications have since adopted similar features, Convey retains Geary‘s familiar three-pane layout and updates it with modern GTK4/libadwaita aesthetics.
The client not only refreshes the UI design but also integrates seamlessly with current system features, improving navigation through keyboard shortcuts. Notable enhancements in Convey version 50.0 include:
- The ability to add, rename, and delete folders directly from the sidebar.
- Improved keyboard navigation across different panes.
- Color adjustments to match the system’s dark mode.
- An updated address completion dropdown for easier navigation.
Despite Geary still being available, it is no longer actively maintained, with its last stable release dating back to May 2024. This creates a gap that Convey is stepping in to fill.
In the past year, the Linux landscape has seen an increase in new desktop email apps. Convey, which shows indications of AI assistance in its code, distinguishes itself with its strong connection to Geary. It will be interesting to observe whether Convey can succeed where Geary thrived by offering a lightweight and straightforward email solution amidst a market dominated by complex “groupware” software.
For those interested in trying out the new email client, Convey is available for installation on Flathub.