Fresh look and feel, improved performance and reliability

Oct 31, 2014 15:52 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has announced the release of the new Outlook for Mac which retains the MS Office feeling while sprinkling some of the visual pleasantries of OS X here and there.

The Redmond giant says the new Outlook delivers better performance and reliability, as well as a more consistent experience between platforms, including PCs, mobiles, and the web.

The new Outlook - What’s inside

Anew threading model coupled with database improvements have resulted in better performance and reliability , while the GUI just got a whole lot better by improving scrolling and snappiness when switching between the tabs in the Ribbon toolbar.

Users now get online archive support for searching Exchange archived mail, and access to category lists (name and color) and sync between Mac, Windows and OWA clients through Master Category List support.

Push email support for real-time email delivery is something Office 365 also boasts, and Microsoft promises “Faster first-run and email download experience with improved Exchange Web Services syncing.”

Office 365 commercial customers and Office 365 Home, Office 365 Personal and Office 365 University subscribers can grab the new Outlook for Mac immediately.

Commercial customers can get the app via the Office 365 Portal by following this path: Gear icon > Office 365 Settings > Software > Outlook for Mac icon. Alternately, they can just visiting the Software page. As for regular users, the new Outlook for Mac is available at the My Account page.

Incoming new Office for Mac

“Continuing our commitment to our valued Mac customers, we are pleased to disclose the roadmap for the next version of Office for Mac—including Word for Mac, Excel for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac and OneNote for Mac,” Microsoft said in its official announcement.

The Windows maker confirms that it will be releasing a public beta of the next-gen Office for Mac in the first half of 2015, while the final release will be made available in the second half of 2015.

Both regular users and commercial subscribers will receive the next-gen Office for Mac at no extra charge, and Microsoft is committed to rolling out a perpetual license of Office for Mac at the same time.

“We’re confident you will like what you see in the new Outlook for Mac today, and in the Office for Mac in the coming months,” Microsoft added. “To get the best Office 365 email, calendar, contacts and tasks experience on a Mac, download the new Outlook for Mac today, and let us know what you think.”

Photo Gallery (6 Images)

Outlook for Mac screenshot
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