Letter Opener for macOS Mail

User Reviews

• It does what it says it will?.

  ErgoladDecember 17, 2014

  Pros

  - Converts winmail.dat file inside OS X Mail (7.3) - Completely transparent

  Cons

  - With new versions of OSX a paid upgrade is often required

  Summary

  I've been a long time user of Letter Opener, going back to the OMiC days. Until recently, I'd not upgraded to the new version when I updated my OS to Mavericks. I thought I'd wait and see if I missed it. Lo and behold I was sorting email and came across a winmail.dat file attachment! Installing the trial, it was immediately resolved! I came to the product as a switcher from the Windows environment in 2008. I appreciate the long term development of this product, which results in fast updates when they're required by new version of Mail.app. (Wish Apple would just build it into Mail.app! But it keeps the developers of Letter Opener, Creative in Austria, in business!) At one time there was a lifetime upgrade option for this product, but I don't see it as an option, though, if you have a previous license you qualify for a reduced upgrade price (1/2 off). I hope they bring that option back. Otherwise, this product can seem costly, which I know frustrates a lot of people. All I can say, is I recommend the complainers develop a freeware tool if that's how they feel. Speaking of which, there ARE alternatives, but nothing that I've come across that integrates so seamlessly. The reality is if you don't want to pay, you don't have to. You can utilize one of the manual alternatives. Just search "winmail.dat viewer mac" and you'll come up with a handful of tools. But if you want a product that is consistently updated, integrated into Mail.app, and just works, then you'll be well served by Letter Opener. Also, kudos to Creative in Austria for taking up development of DockStar, a great tool that adds up to 5 new customizable mail indicators to the dock icon. I'd been a previous user and was sorry to see Ecamm drop the product. Happy to see it back and look forward to it moving out of BETA.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Sep 24, 2016<p/>I still continue to use this software. It does what it says it will. The developer is responsive to support requests, and updates for compatibility with each new OS. In a perfect world, this tool would be unneeded, baked in to the OS, but until then it solves the problem.

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• Part of my Essential Add-ons for Mail.app

  ErgoladApril 4, 2012

  Pros

  - Works as advertised - Good support

  Cons

  - Some may say "Price"

  Summary

  I stand by my previous review for v.3.0.8 and can't imagine using mail.app without this add-on. There is a cost to upgrade ($14.95) when a new OS comes out. With the frequency of new Mac OS rollouts this may seem prohibitive. In all fairness the developer has to rework the add-on for new versions and updates to mail.app, and I appreciate that he does so in a prompt fashion. In addition he offers a lifetime upgrade option, bringing the one time cost to $34.90, future-proofing Letter Opener. Considering that Lion itself is $29.99 I often hesitate to upgrade Letter Opener until I realize how much I miss it!

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• Too expensive for what it does

  ajgw-nycJanuary 4, 2012

  Pros

  The program does exactly what it promises in a simple and easy way. Fully integrated system that does not require user to double-click on the attachment.

  Cons

  It is simply too expensive for what it does (especially as the iPhone and iPad versions are free). You can buy a full copy of iPhoto, Pages, Numbers or Keynote at a lower price. While it is a very useful tool that it unfortunately needed due to Microsofts unwillingness to make Outlook fully compatible with other mail-systems AND Apple's unwillingness to jump over their own shadow and offer a solution within Mail. The latter would certainly help drive more people to use Mail over Outlook as many people think these win mail.dat files are system errors or (like my mom) think these are viruses.

  Summary

  Useful if you require a fully integrated program but way too expensive. If you can live with a version that requires a double-click to convert the winmail.dat file then there is cheaper and even free software out there.

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• questionable business practices

  paco2121April 1, 2011

  Pros

  To be fair, seems to do a very good job converting all but Outlook invites (which is why I didn't give it 1 star).

  Cons

  Adds several hours to meeting times from Outlook invites when adding event to iCal. Makes this function less than useless as it APPEARS to be doing the job until you realize the 1:00 meeting you were supposed to be at was entered into iCal at 6:00.

  Summary

  I sent 3 emails to developer during trial period to inquire about this problem. Only after the trial expired and I bought the program did I finally get a reply wherein he said it's a known problem and gave no indication of when it might be fixed. Coincidence? Can't be sure. Would like to give him benefit of doubt, be be aware it does NOT work with Outlook invites.

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• Great plugin for Mail.app

  ErgoladMarch 15, 2011

  Pros

  Tight integration Good Support Prompt Updates Makes incompatibilities between Outlook and Mail.app compatible!!

  Cons

  None that I can think of!

  Summary

  I am happy with this product combined with another plugin called Letter Opener, it's a great compliment to Mail.app. Support has always been spot on and quick to respond. As a switcher, and once heavy Outlook user, I find this product indispensable. Basically if you want a quality product that will help bridge the gap between the Windows Outlook world and Apple's Mail.app, this is the product for you!

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• excellento

  Ian DuncanMarch 5, 2007

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I'm with fuzzyclam. It's like saying "but I was on a pedestrian crossing and had right of way!" just after being run over by a bus. Principle is a fine thing, just don't let it get in the way of work. I've had excellent service from this guy, the product works well, he negotiated a 200 user license with me quickly and neatly and it can now be installed via ARD. Good work.

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• Must have for Microsoft email compatibility

  islanddan--2008January 19, 2007

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Works better than Microsoft email programs on Windows.

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• Bought it right away

  tcloerOctober 2, 2006

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Since I prefer Apple Mail these days I found this to be a highly valuable extension for its functionality. Works as advertised and totally transparently. Good job.

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• very helpful plugin

  TomEckSeptember 18, 2006

  Pros

  Cons

  Summary

  This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />short: Perfect! - OMiC do what it says! long: The first version of OMiC was already very useful for me. Version 1.02 is however perfect for my purposes. OMiC simplifies the communication with users of outlook exquisitely. It is no longer necessary to do detours (e.g. TNEF's Enough), if you like to open the content of a winmail.dat. You can now see the schedules, appointments, files or V-Cards directly in the pull-down menue for attachments. OMiC simplified really the everyday life in a office. A really good investment! Between the version 1.0 and 1.02, Chris, the developer, and I had via a couple of e-mails an interchange of ideas. He always quickly reacted and was always very cooperatively. Do not hesitate to contact Chris, if you have any trouble with OMiC or any idea to advance OMiC!

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