Microsoft launches Outlook for rival iOS, Android
Washington (AFP) - Microsoft on Thursday launched an Outlook app for rival handsets running on Apple's iOS and Google's Android, ramping up its software services efforts.
The move will allow users of iPhones, iPads and Android-powered smartphones and tablets to more easily access the email service popular with many businesses.
"The new Outlook app brings together the core tools you need to get things done -- your email, calendar, contacts and files -- helping you get more done even on the smallest screen," Microsoft said on its Outlook blog.
Microsoft under new chief executive Satya Nadella has been making moves to adapt to the new mobile landscape, with fewer customers using traditional PCs.
But with the Windows platform lagging in mobile, Microsoft has begun offering its software for rival operating systems. In November, it said it was making its Office software suite available free for iOS and Android.
The new Outlook app offers new features for mobile users, including a way to sort and filter important emails.
It offers a "focused inbox" which learns "about you and gets even more tailored to your priorities," the blog said.
The move comes a day after US online giant Amazon announced plans to offer a cloud-based email and calendar service to directly compete with Microsoft Outlook and others.
The service dubbed Amazon WorkMail "enables users to send and receive email, manage contacts, share calendars and book resources using the same email applications they use today" including Outlook and services like Google Apps.
