Building DoublOne wasn't just about creating another email client. It was about reimagining email from the ground up with privacy as the foundation. And that came with challenges we didn't anticipate.
The Sync Problem
Email protocols like IMAP and SMTP were designed in an era before privacy was a concern. They assume a server-client model where your emails live on someone else's server. We wanted something different: emails that live on your device first, syncing only when you choose.
The challenge? Making this work seamlessly. We spent months building custom sync mechanisms that respect user privacy while still providing a smooth experience. The key was making the local experience so good that users don't notice when they're offline.
AI Processing Locally
One of our biggest challenges was implementing AI-assisted workflows that process entirely on your device. Most AI features require sending your data to a server. We refused to do that.
We built custom models that run locally, using on-device machine learning to suggest replies, prioritize emails, and help you focus. It was slower to develop, but worth it. Your emails never leave your device, even when AI is helping you.
The Encryption Challenge
End-to-end encryption in email is notoriously difficult. Most email providers can read your messages. We wanted to change that, but implementing proper E2E encryption while maintaining usability was harder than we thought.
We're still working on making encryption seamless. It's a challenge, but it's one we're committed to solving because privacy shouldn't be optional.