Google LLC Wednesday announced that it’s discontinuing its Inbox email client as of March next year, some four years after it was launched.

At launch the initially invite-only app was pitched as the “future of email.” It introduced unique features such as “Bundles” that took all similar messages, grouped them together and then automatically highlighted important information such as flight itineraries.

Other features included “Highlights” to being important emails front and center, “Reminders” that reminded users about upcoming events and “Assists” which works with reminders to provide additional information. A

If all that sounds familiar, it should. Google launched a big update to Gmail in April that included a new user interface and features inspired by Inbox. Powered by Google’s artificial intelligence technology, the update also included tighter integration with other G Suite apps and more advanced security measures.

In a blog post, Google Product Manager Matthew Izatt described Inbox as a “great place to experiment with new ideas” but added that “as we look to the future, we want to take a more focused approach that will help us bring the best email experience to everyone.”

“We introduced the new Gmail in April this year, incorporating many of the same features you’ve come to love about Inbox plus newer features like Smart Compose, which helps you draft emails faster,” Izatt explained. He added that for Inbox users, “we know change is hard, so we’ve created a transition guide to help you switch from Inbox to the new Gmail with ease.”

How many users Inbox had was never clear. Gmail had a market share of 27 percent as of July, but Inbox, despite some initial hype from the tech press, was always a niche product.

As an experiment, it served Google well, but even if its fans may be upset, it was always only a matter of time before it would leave the scene.

Image: Google