Microsoft is reportedly building a new Outlook app for Windows and Mac based on the existing Outlook Web app that will replace the existing Mail and Calendar apps on Windows 10.
Windows Central on Monday reported this project, which Microsoft has codenamed “Monarch.”
According to the website, this is the end goal for Microsoft’s “One Outlook” plan in which the company plans to build a single Outlook client that works across PC, Mac and the web and different Outlook clients for desktop.
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Microsoft wants to replace the existing desktop clients with one app built with web technologies. The project will deliver Outlook as a single product, with the same user experience and codebase whether that be on Windows or Mac. It’ll also have a much smaller footprint and be accessible to all users whether they’re free Outlook consumers or commercial business customers.
I’m told the app will feature native OS integrations with support for things like offline storage, share targets, notifications, and more. I understand that it’s one of Microsoft’s goals to make the new Monarch client feel as native to the OS as possible while remaining universal across platforms by basing the app on the Outlook website.
The new client will be previewed towards the end of this year, and it will replace Mail and Calendar apps on Windows 10 in 2022. The company also plans to replace the legacy Win32 Outlook client, but that process is expected to take much longer, according to the website.
Those curious about how this experience will look and feel can install the Outlook Web app via your web browser today. Of course, that won’t provide you with all the integrations Microsoft has planned for the Monarch client, but it does give a general idea of the kind of experiences you can expect to have when using it.
Existing apps are expected to get a minor user interface update later this year, but they will ultimately be replaced, according to Windows Central.
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