The Thunderbird and K-9 Mail development teams have announced a project merger. The K-9 Mail email client will be renamed "Thunderbird for Android" and will be shipped under a new brand. The Thunderbird project has long considered creating a version for mobile devices, but during the discussions it came to the conclusion that it makes no sense to split forces and do double work when you can join forces with an already existing close open source project. For K-9 Mail, joining Thunderbird is beneficial in terms of additional resources, expanding the user base, and speeding up development.
The decision to merge was driven by similar goals and visions from both projects of what a modern mobile email app should look like. Both projects are also privacy-conscious, adhere to open standards, and are developed using an open development process.
Before the first release under the new name, they plan to bring the look and functionality of K-9 Mail closer to the design and features of the desktop version of Thunderbird. Of the plans to expand the functionality of K-9 Mail, it is noted the implementation of an auto-configuration system for accounts like in Thunderbird, improved management of mail folders, integration of support for message filters, and the implementation of synchronization between the mobile and desktop versions of Thunderbird.
Christian Ketterer, K-9 Mail Project Lead and Core Developer, is now employed by Thunderbird's MZLA Technologies Corporation and will continue to work on the K-9 Mail code full-time. For existing K-9 Mail users, aside from the name change and additional functionality, nothing will change. Thunderbird users will be able to use a mobile client that is synchronized and close in functionality to the desktop version. As for the desktop version of Thunderbird, it will continue to evolve unchanged and using the same technology.
Source: opennet.ru