Most of you should have known Fluid by now. With Fluid app, you can create “Site Specific Browsers (SSB)”, basically turning any web apps into a desktop app. Essentially what Fluid does is create a browser that is dedicated to a single application. To read more about Fluid, read my previous review.

The best thing about Fluid in my opinion, is the ability to let you add another app using the Browsa plugin so that both the main web app and the “browsa plugin app” runs side by side.

This is incredibly useful when you mash-up two web apps that compliments each other – with the “browsa plugin app” being an iPhone web app.

To get what I mean, here’s a couple of examples:

Gmail + Google Calendar

I created a Gmail SSB using Fluid, thereafter adding the iPhone’s version of Google Calendar as a browsa plugin that runs on the right side of Gmail. There you have it, Gmail and Google Calendar running side by side! You can send emails and check schedules at the same time.

SUBERNOVA + Google Calendar

SUBERNOVA gives you an iCal link in which you can subscribe to your projects and milestones calendar using Google Calendar or any calendar of your choice. Here’s an SSB that runs SUBERNOVA and Google Calendar side by side.

Gmail + Remember The Milk

If you are a Gmail + RememberTheMilk user, you’ll like this.

Threadsy + Hahlo

Threadsy is my new favourite web application. I can check my MobileMe email, work email (hosted on Google Apps), Twitter and Facebook all in one interface. Sparing me from opening too many browser tabs or desktop apps. This, really simplifies my life, moreover the UI is delicious! If web apps are edible, this surely leaves a sweet after taste.

The only problem I have is that Threadsy doesn’t support Twitter Lists. Hence, running Hahlo beside Theadsy may be a good choice for stranded Twitter users like me.

Seesmic Web + Facebook

The good thing about Seesmic as a Twitter web app is that it lets you split different tweet categories into horizontal panels, eg. mentions, dms, lists etc. This makes it easy to scan through tweets. If you’re a Twitter user but don’t want to miss out on Facebook updates, pop an iPhone optimized version of Facebook to the right of Seesmic!

Google Wave + Google Buzz

Doesn’t mean some people don’t get Google Wave and talks rot about Google Buzz, it makes them any less useful. If you like both of Google’s latest innovation, this is a good match.

I hope you find these tips useful and your imagination running wild by a little. :)

Check out SUBERNOVA online project management tool:

I came across Notify some time ago when it first launched, it was only able to fetch Gmail messages which is pretty wasted for such a good looking menubar app. I knew it had lots of potential to morph into something more all rounded so I waited. And the wait is over!

Notify 2, by Vibealicious, now notifies you of new email messages not only for Gmail, but Google Apps emails, MobileMe, RackSpace or any other IMAP enabled email accounts making it a complete notifier app.

Also, Notify doesn’t need your email client to be open in order to work. With its ability to compose and reply messages right in the app itself, you can keep your mail client closed unless you need to attach and send images or check read messages.

Easy Setup

Under account preferences, add an email account of any type supported by Notify, key in your credentials and you’re ready to go.

I have tested all except Rackspace as I’m not hosting with them. But it should work.

To make your email notifications more obvious, choose a sound of your liking.

I personally like the simple Harmonic sound, medium pitched and not muffled. Definitely audible even if you have iTunes playing.

Under Appearance, you can set the way your date is formatted. I think it’s a nice touch considering everyone reads time and date differently.

Interface & Functionality

This is the interface of the app itself. Simple and beautiful.

If you have multiple accounts, each account will appear as a different tab for easy account switching.

The interface will only show you all unread messages. There are many things you can do with these unread messages like quick look (select a message and press spacebar), mark as read, delete and reply.

Very handy if you want to keep Mail away from view.

One great way I find Notify can improve your productivity is really by closing your email client, set Notify to check every 15 minutes. This is such that you won’t get too distracted by incoming emails the moment they come in.

Viewing Emails

If you’re familiar with Quick Look, this will feel right at home. Hit the spacebar with a message selected and you’ll be able to read the email in its full HTML glory.

Composing and Replying

To reply an email quickly, hit the reply button and a small little window will appear enabling you to type your message.

You can also use the same window for composing new emails by hitting the “+” icon at the bottom left or use a keyboard shortcut “Cmd+N”.

Really useful!

Conclusion

At $10, Notify is a great little app for email notifications and then some. Try it!

Check out SUBERNOVA online project management tool: