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Why is this important: Microsoft is looking to simplify its Outlook applications by using a single web-powered client. This would allow Microsoft to have a shared experience across all platforms without having to manage different code bases. It also appears to be part of a larger initiative to revitalize the Microsoft brand to be amicable with all platforms.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft will eschew dedicated desktop apps for Outlook instead of a single web-powered client. This is part of Microsoft’s “One Outlook” initiative which seeks to unify Outlook regardless of the platform. The effort is called Project Monarch and will seek to replace all Microsoft email clients, including the default Windows Mail app.
The Monarch project will be built on a single code base in order to simplify the deployment on the platforms. Windows Central says Microsoft is looking to provide a unique user experience and will be accessible to all customers, businesses and consumers.
While you can technically install Outlook as a Progressive Web Application (PWA) now, it doesn’t have all of the integrations Monarch will have. For example, Monarch will include support for offline storage, notifications, and share targets. Microsoft wants to make sure it feels “native” to each platform while still adhering to the same look and feel as the Outlook website.
Microsoft will begin previewing Monarch towards the end of the year. The default email and calendar apps are slated to be phased out next year, with Monarch combining the two functions into one app. The company also plans to suspend the Win32 Outlook application, but this will likely happen further in the future due to the complexity of the application.
In the meantime, Windows Central says the current Mail and Calendar apps are in “maintenance mode” and will benefit from a slight UI change in line with Microsoft’s “Sun Valley” design update for Windows 10 later this year. year.
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