Alternatives to Gmail?

To be honestly, Google is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't like the changes to their privacy policy though.

I've never accessed email email through a desktop client. Only via web and smartphone. More then likely I'm going to try other services and end up back at Google again.

I would like something I can receive email from via smartphone as well sync my calendar to my smartphone

See the thing is that I look at it is that I use Google's services for free. So if the cost of it is more ads that are targeted toward me then fine. The thing is at least they are being upfront about it. Unlike Facebook and many other organizations and governments. Well I do pay for storage space on Google, but essentially I still get their services free.

Google has done really well with trying to have you protect your privacy look at Google+ versus Facebook on that. Also Google really makes it easy for you to export any of your data from Google. Which says that your info and files are your info an files. Facebook is already gathering and collecting information on every site that you visit, and yes it's true.

Here is a comment I would like to share

"major providers, as well as Microsoft, have given away the keys to the kingdom. Supposedly Google has not, and furthermore, Google has tried to create some safeguards to keep the government from tracking that information.

We are all being spied upon by Uncle Sam. Are you really worried about the company that already know everything about you finding out "more"?

We need more transparency and accountability from our government - not Google. The folks in Mountain View respond quickly to our concerns and have the decency to tell us what they are doing. The same cannot be said of the critters in Washington, D.C."

just my thoughts