Outlook 12 Adds Internet Hooks

Now in beta and due to ship toward the end of 2006, the next release of Office—code-named Office 12—will include a new version of the Outlook e-mail client and personal information manager (PIM). Although customers will need new versions of Exchange Server and the SharePoint products to access many capabilities of Outlook, some new Outlook features, such as support for Internet calendar and “blog” access, will benefit all users. However, since Outlook 12’s user interface (UI) mixes elements of Outlook 2003 with new UI elements of Office 12, the transition may be confusing to some.

This article covers only the features of Outlook 12 that are not dependent on Microsoft server products. Later articles will cover Outlook 12’s integration with Exchange and SharePoint.

Hybrid User Interface

Office 12’s most obvious change is the new UI used by Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Unlike the fixed menu structure of all previous versions of Office, the commands visible in the new UI shift dynamically based on what the user is doing. Instead of menus, toolbars, and task panes, the new UI features a “ribbon” that shows command icons relevant to the user’s current activity. In addition, “galleries” show commands with common options, enabling users to quickly find the most relevant options and get a quick preview of the effect each option will have. (For more information on the new UI, see “Office 12: New User Interface, Content Management” on page 23 of the Oct. 2005 Update.)