You can now create Skype meetings right from Microsoft Outlook for iOS
Based largely on Acompli, which Microsoft acquired just over a year ago, Microsoft Outlook is a smart email app that works with a variety of email services including iCloud, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail in addition to Microsoft’s Outlook.com, Hotmail, MSN, Office 365, and Exchange. Adopting the functionality of Sunrise, which Microsoft acquired last February, Outlook also provides a built-in calendar that lets you access your events alongside your emails.
It’s this calendar aspect of Outlook to which the app’s latest update introduces a couple of new and noteworthy features.
Skype integrationThe more noteworthy of the two new features that have just been added to Outlook for iOS is Skype integration in the app’s calendar.
Now, when you create or edit a calendar event, there’s a new switch labeled Skype Call that you can turn on to automatically create a Skype call link for the event. And when the time for your Skype meeting has arrived, just tap the Join button for Skype Call in the event’s details to access the call. The app will prompt you to install the Skype app for iOS if you don’t have it yet on your device.
The introduction of Skype integration in Outlook for iOS is concurrent with Skype’s announcement that it’s set to roll out support for free group video calling on iOS and other mobile platforms.
Three-day viewThe latest update to Outlook for iOS also adds a new three-day view in the calendar to, according to Microsoft, “make your schedule for the days ahead clearer than ever.” Just tap the view icon at the top right corner of the calendar and select the new 3-Day option instead of Agenda or Day to see your calendar in this new view.
Microsoft Outlook is available on the App Store for free. It’s compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad running iOS 8.0 or later, with support for Apple Watch for viewing and replying to emails directly from the wrist.
If you can’t see the demo embedded above, please click here.
Outlook’s previous update came a month ago with support for 3D Touch and email printing.
Outlook is one of the more excellent alternatives to Apple’s built-in Mail app on iOS. Along with Readdle’s Spark, which has also just been updated with new features, it comes highly recommended particularly to users who are on the lookout for a replacement to Dropbox’s soon-to-be defunct Mailbox.