If using the native Apple Mail app is as soul-destroying for you as it is for us, you might want to focus up. Microsoft has announced “Outlook Mac for All” meaning that Mac owners will now be able to use the client free of charge. Before, a Microsoft 365 subscription or direct purchase of Office was needed to use the service anywhere. Now, it’s available on the App Store, missing that exorbitant price tag we’ve come to know.
A new Outlook on life (and Mac)
When Microsoft redesigned the Mac app’s interface back in 2020, it brought some version-specific features that gel specifically well with Apple’s ecosystem. Haven’t finished a mail on your Mac? Finish it on your iPhone with the new Handoff feature. And once the upcoming Profile feature can talk to the MacOS Focus modes, it’ll offer a way to easily silence notifications while you’re busy.
Fret not, Mac users. As is the case with all versions of Outlook, the Mac client supports Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo, Outlook.com and any other provider that supports IMAP.
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Growing the customer base
Microsoft’s reason for making the client free is to widen its user base. The OS giant is “rebuilding” the client for Mac, improving accessibility, performance and reliability. With an upgraded platform, Microsoft is hoping to lure in any customers that were avoiding the service entirely. And of course, new users are more likely to try out any other Office applications that do cost money.
Not long after the announcement, Microsoft clarified that no updates were planned for the app’s web client. Michael Palermiti, an Outlook partner product group manager said: “The new Outlook for Mac is a native macOS app. Microsoft plans to continue building and maintaining best-in-class native apps on macOS and iOS. No Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are planned for Mac Outlook.”
With the distinct lack of good email clients for Apple devices, it might be worth giving Microsoft’s app a try.