Two Key Windows 8 Apps Get a Makeover

Pete Pachal2013-03-25 16:00:31 UTC

Microsoft is updating the built-in Mail and Calendar apps for Windows 8, boosting functionality and adding some convenience features based on user feedback. The changes apply to both Windows RT and Windows 8 machines.

Mail is the app that changes the most. The main thing users will notice about the new version is that it's faster, Microsoft says, with creating, sending and searching messages all getting a speed boost. Syncing with Outlook.com accounts is also quicker.

Whereas the previous version of Mail was a little bare-bones, Microsoft is adding a host of organizational tools and extra conveniences, including the ability to:

Manage folders

Flag messages

Filter unread messages

Automatically search mail on the server

Add links in a message

Save senders as contacts

Attach files via a new icon

Edit bulleted and numbered lists

Print via a new icon instead of the Charms menu

Although Mail got a big upgrade, Windows 8 users will be more likely to notice the changes to the Calendar app, since its overall design changes: Instead of each event sharing the same background color as the calendar it's assigned to, just a strip along the side is colored, with events now getting a white background. Users can now also:

Check the availability of meeting attendees

Forward meeting invitations

See a aarker for current time of day

View just the work week (Monday-Friday)

Although the People app looks and functions just as it did before, both Mail and Calender have deeper integration with it, and it now has better integration with Microsoft Exchange, letting those apps see, for example, a contact's entire profile in company directory.

Microsoft says the updates will get pushed out in the next day or so. Windows 8 users will see a notification on the Store live tile, which will prompt them to download the update.

What else in Windows 8 is in need of an update? Share your suggestions in the comments.

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