Why Apple could buy the upcoming Mailbox app

Mailbox Beta for iOS (welcome prompt)

Over the past year, Apple has seen some of the most beloved third-party iOS apps swallowed by Google. To name just a few such acquisitions: in June 2012 mobile productivity suite Quickoffice became a Google property, the following month email client Sparrow was acquired by the Internet giant and in September 2012 the search firm snapped up developer Nik Software, the maker of the popular photography app Snapseed.

The Mailbox app was announced in December as a fresh take on iOS email and yesterday the team started accepting reservations ahead of the official launch. Orchestra, the company behind the software shares interesting ties with Apple that could signal a possible acqui-hire down the road…

Business Insider dug up fascinating details that reveal Mailbox maker Orchestra’s link to Apple.

Here goes a shocker: Adam Cue, one of Orchestra engineers, is son of Apple’s ‘Mr. Fixer’, Senior Vice President Eddy Cue.

There’s a college student named Adam Cue who works as a software engineer at Orchestra, according to his LinkedIn profile. Cue is also currently a senior at Duke University due to graduate in May.

From Adam’s LinkedIn profile:

I’m looking to apply my technical expertise and knowledge of the economics of business to make great products that enhance the human experience. Ideally, I’d work in all facets of the software design process in either the mobile software or web application industry.

He’s graduating from Duke University this year with a Bachelor of Computer Science.

Business Insider also checked Adam’s Facebook profile where he lists Cue as his father.

Adam Cue
Adam Cue, the spitting image of his father, Eddy Cue.

Eddy Cue is in charge of all of Apple’s of Internet Software and Services, which includes iCloud email.

Draw your own conclusions.

Mailbox Beta for iOS (iPhone screenshot 001)

Of course, this is all pure speculation because it’s unclear whether Orchestra’s novel approach to iOS email and Mailbox’s unique design language would make a fit for Apple.

Business Insider agrees as much:

On a practical level, the relationship will probably complicate any talks between the companies, with Cue having to recuse himself from any formal discussions.

But we have to think Mailbox has been on top Apple executives’ radar long before most Valley insiders had decided it was the next big thing.

The iPhone maker typically buys small startups for their talent, so-called acqui-hires.

A good acqui-hire example, for instance, is flash memory expert Anobit that Apple purchased for a reported $390 million.

https://vimeo.com/54553882

Looking at the big picture, Apple could benefit from taking talented app makers under its wing.

iOS is ripe for some fresh ideas and with Jony Ive in charge of the Apple user experience now and iOS boss Scott Forstall gone, perhaps some outside talent could help re-think key stock apps in iOS 7?

So, buy Mailbox and use their thinking to improve upon the iOS Mail app.

Am I going out on a limb here?

Mailbox screenshots via MacRumors.