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The choice of IMAP is fundamental when discussing email protocols because it is designed specifically for retrieving and managing email from a mail server. IMAP allows users to access their mail from multiple devices while keeping messages synchronized. This means that actions like reading or organizing emails are updated across all devices, making it an excellent choice for users who need to access their email on various platforms.

SMTP, which is typically used for sending emails, directly complements IMAP. When an email is sent, SMTP handles the transmission process from the sender's email client to the recipient's email server, ensuring that the email arrives at the correct destination. Thus, both IMAP and SMTP work in coordination to facilitate a complete email experience, covering both sending and receiving functions.

In contrast, options like POP3 and HTTP serve different purposes. POP3 retrieves emails but typically downloads them, removing them from the server, which may not suit users who need access from multiple locations. HTTP is primarily for web browsing and does not directly apply to the email protocol infrastructure, as it is not designed for email communication at all. Hence, while IMAP and SMTP are integral to email transactions, the other protocols do not address the core functions of sending and receiving Internet email effectively.