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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Microsoft Updates Core Windows 8 Productivity Apps: Mail, Calendar and People

 

Microsoft is finally releasing an update for its built-in hop out, schedule and plurality apps. The post app go forth support organizational functions like signalise emails and creating folders. The Calendar app leave alone get a raw tint and meeting scheduling support. And the mickle app will sport a new command bar to desexualise it quicker for you to sail through your contacts.

The productivity apps are set to get these updates by Monday evening or Tuesday. And according to Microsoft, the update will make Mail, Calendar and People a great deal much(prenominal) useful to Windows 8 and Windows RT users.

When Microsoft released Windows 8 in October, its core productivity apps lacked deep functionality and features. Mail couldn’t even compare with expectation.com, let alone with the full-blown Outlook Office application. Calendar had the basic bones, hardly again, lacked functionality compared to the Outlook schedule. And People was more novelty app than something actually useful.

We listed updated productivity apps as one of our wish list items for Windows Blue, Microsoft’s upcoming interpretation of Windows set to launch this summer. Thanks to today’s update, we win’t have to wait that long.

Here’s a fine look at the updates.

Arguably the most important of the three apps, the Windows 8 Mail app will get more organizational tools. You will be equal to(p) to filter your email accounts so they destine only unread emails. You’ll also be open to relieve oneself and delete folders directly in the Mail app — no more having to go into your individual accounts elsewhere to manage folders. And Mail right away also supports flagging emails.

All of these are fairly minor updates, but ones that will prove incredibly useful in everyday email usage. The updated Mail app will also make it easier and meteoric to compose emails. When you start writing an email, the “To” line will take the stand your most popular contacts. Email drafts that you’re working on will also show up at the vellicate of your inbox, so you potbelly locate your unfinished email much quicker.

Drafts in threads float to the top of your inbox so they’re easier to find. Image: Microsoft

Editing emails in Mail is a bit more painless, since the app will now work a lot mitigate for copying and pasting content from other places like websites and Word docs. Mail will also have new editing tools for sess point lists and hyperlinks.

Instead of having to download older emails into the Mail app, Microsoft says that you’ll be able to search for email on the server. Business Mail users will now be able to forward and receive rights-managed emails. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s announcement said nothing of POP3 support for the new Mail, so that’s unlikely to happen.

The bare-bones Calendar app is getting a new look, viewing option and scheduling support. Color bars interchange color blocks in the new Calendar app, which design-wise should make your calendar entries easier to read. Microsoft has also added a “Work week” view, which will desexualize your calendar view to weekdays only.

The new Calendar. Image: Microsoft

The biggest update is the Calendar app’s new Scheduling Assistant feature. You’ll be able to choose between more recurring meeting options, send meeting invitations to people, and email all meeting attendees through the app.

The People app will get the least improvements of the three. The only improvements include the dexterity to post on your friends’ Facebook walls, the ability to filter through the “What’s New” section more quickly, and a new app commands bar, which you can bring up by swiping in from the top.

That’s credibly not enough to get Windows 8 and Windows RT users to spend more time in the People app. But it is slowly decent more useful, especially since Facebook still hasn’t made a native Windows 8/RT app.



Materials taken from WIRED

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