Outlook.com for Android gets a fresh interface and new features
While the recently-updated Outlook.com calendar was easily the number one most-requested feature, a revamped Android app was a close second. Even Microsoft admits that “our Android app has been behind.” Thankfully, that wait is finally over. Microsoft and development partner SEVEN have delivered an excellent update for the app, refreshing the interface and adding a number of new features.
Visually, the app is beautiful. The way in which it blends Windows Phone and Android design principles which might make some UI purists cringe, but it faithfully re-creates the highly praised Outlook.com look and feel (LAF) in the style of Windows Phone’s Mail app. This even extends to the iconic Windows Phone app bar with the ellipses (“…”) for accessing more options. If you’re looking for an Outlook.com experience on your Android device, this app is a no-brainer.
In addition to an updated LAF, the new Outlook.com app now supports conversation threading; filters for all, unread, or flagged items; and the ability to mark emails as junk. Of course, multiple Outlook.com accounts, Exchange ActiveSync, push notifications, calendar and device contact sync, quiet times, folders, attachments, and more are supported as well.
Outlook.com is compatible with any mail client, but the dedicated app has the best experience by far. If you use Android 2.2 or above and Outlook.com – formerly known as Hotmail – and you haven’t yet downloaded the app, I highly recommend doing so.
Download: Google Play
Disclaimer: I am a member of the Outlook.com Insider program.
[Outlook Blog]
