There are a lot of different websites or apps that get released into private beta or "invite only" and the process for these new sites or apps is pretty basic:  Sign up and then wait to get an email. 

The new Mailbox app from Orchestra, Inc. is showing a different way to run a beta of it's product and it's actually a lot of fun with complete transparency!

When you download the app, it reserves you place in line. I'm guessing most sites that are in beta do the same thing but to me what is different about this is that they actually display your place in line with the number of people in front of you and the number of people behind you.

Opening the app will count down from the last number you saw to your current place in line.  I've seen it move only a few hundred spots to moving over 10,000.  The incredible thing is that I check the app every few days just to see where I am in line.

I am guessing there are other apps or sites that have done similar things however this is my first experience with this sort of process in an app and it's nice.

I'll write up a summary of Mailbox after I get it installed but I already have had a positive experience with what I should expect from the app based on the user experience so far.

To me, this is the future.  It's a little scary but it's incredible.  

Google Now has changed how I view my email and search.  I'm actually wanting to give it more information so that Google provides me with more of everything.

Let me step back for a minute and explain Google Now.

From Google's site:
Google Now gets you just the right information at just the right time.

It tells you today’s weather before you start your day, how much traffic to expect before you leave for work, when the next train will arrive as you’re standing on the platform, or your favorite team's score while they’re playing. And the best part? All of this happens automatically. Cards appear throughout the day at the moment you need them.

I bought a Nexus 4 just so I could have this functionality.  It tells me when UPS has delivered a package to my home, it tells me when I should leave for an appointment and factors in traffic.  It's the future we were promised when Palm launched the PRE.

This is a huge differentiator between Apple and Google.  Siri can't compete with this because this displays relevant information without me asking it.  Consider Google Now "pre-search".  

Google has done an excellent job with Google Now.  This is the future, now.

I've never been a big fan of Android phones because I always felt a disconnect between the various phones from the various mobile providers.