Outlook for Mac is now free and can be used without a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Microsoft announced that Outlook for Mac goes free starting today. This means users won’t need a Microsoft 365 subscription or additional license to use it. The decision comes after mail client redesign in order to use the power of Apple processors.

Outlook for Mac offers the same features as the Windows versionsuch as support for multiple iCloud email accounts, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com and more. Users will have access to a single tray, as well as a general search across all accounts. It also provides access to the calendar, contacts and files.

What makes the Mac version of Outlook different is that It is optimized for Apple Silicon. and integrates other features such as calendar widgets, reminders in the notification center, and a schedule widget in the menu bar. also suggested handover supportwhere you can switch from an iOS app to macOS to pick up where you left off.

Microsoft has confirmed that it is working on other features to be released in the future. Outlook profiles are one of them and allow connect email accounts to Focus. This way, you won’t receive personal email notifications, so it’s easier for you to focus on work, and vice versa.

Outlook for Mac has a similar design to the mobile apps, so it’s easy to adapt if you’re already using them. Microsoft confirmed that Outlook for Mac is a completely redesigned version. to take advantage of the Apple operating system. Judging by today’s announcement, the technology company intends to position its email client with the integration of functions based on artificial intelligence.

Outlook and other Microsoft apps will use AI

A multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI and Bing’s debut with ChatGPT are only a small part of what Microsoft is planning. The technology tests the GPT model in various Office applications. In the case of Outlook, the idea is to improve search results based on the context provided by the user in the search bar.

In accordance with Informationintegration ChatGPT in Outlook will help us write an email effortlessly. Just say “Send an email explaining I’m on vacation” and the AI ​​will do its magic, similar to what we’re currently seeing with other texts. Artificial intelligence can also offer responses to emails based on its content.

While the idea of ​​using an AI assistant to compose emails or filter spam sounds appealing, the truth is that there are several problems to implement it. The first of these is privacy, as Microsoft needs to make sure its artificial intelligence works without compromising the personal data of its users.

Apple is an obstacle to applications with ChatGPT

The second problem is Apple itself, which recently blocked the email client with ChatGPT. He Wall Street Journal reports that Cupertino delayed approval of the latest BlueMail update because it included a popular chatbot. Cause? Apple says it may show inappropriate content for children.

BlueMail uses ChatGPT to compose emails, add calendar events, or communicate with its AI. Apple suggested as an alternative that the app would increase the age limit to 17 and over, otherwise it would have to include a content filter. With this in mind, the developer assured that they already have a content filter in place and stated that restricting the app would limit its distribution.

Apple has always stated that You must take care of the safety of the products you distribute in the App Store.. The idea of ​​deferring approval for ChatGPT apps like BlueMail would make sense given the controversy surrounding Bing and its out-of-control AI. However, some believe that this brake will also affect the development of this technology.

While the AI ​​version of Outlook is coming out, users can download the macOS client from the App Store.