Windows RT 8.1 update will bring Outlook 2013 to Windows RT tablets

By Russ Boswell June 5, 2013

microsoft-surface-with-windows-rt — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Those of you who’ve been clamoring for a Microsoft-based email and calendar service on your Surface RT or Windows RT tablet will soon have access to Outlook 2013. CFO and CMO of Microsoft’s Windows Division, Tami Reller, announced the news at this year’s Computex. The Outlook 2013 program will be added to all Windows RT and Microsoft Surface RT tablets with the upcoming Windows 8.1 operating system update.

“We’re always listening to our customers and one piece of feedback was that people want the power of Outlook on all their Windows PCs and tablets,” Microsoft’s Chris Schneider said in a blog post. “In fact, a Morgan Stanley research study found that 61 percent of people shopping for tablets consider Microsoft Office to be the single most important software feature.”

Microsoft promises a much better, streamlined experience with its newest version of Outlook, claiming that users will be able to easily reduce clutter. Outlook 2013 makes you a “content king,” according to the company, and users can use “peeks” to view calendar events and contacts without having to manually switch between tabs. Microsoft also stated that Outlook 2013 will be available soon across not only Windows tablets, but also its phones and PCs. You can get more information regarding the new Outlook and its features at the company’s website.

This is the second recent Windows RT-based surprise we’ve seen recently. Just last week, Microsoft unveiled that, for a limited time, anyone who purchased a Windows RT Surface tablet would receive a free keyboard add-on (normally a $100 value). Is Microsoft trying to sweeten the deal to sell more RT tablets?

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Russ Boswell is an aspiring video game and technology journalist from Colorado. He's been an avid gamer since he was old…

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