That was so much set to happen. Microsoft has finally taken the step to introduce the integration of social networking sites to its leading desktop mail client, Outlook. Called the Outlook Social Connector, it will be integrated with mail client in Office 2010. It definitely took some time, given that the integration was announced back in November 2009.
To be honest, all this happening sounds quite exciting, especially since Google only recently announced its Google Buzz product and almost immediately, Facebook and Microsoft have taken steps to counter the same in the early stages. Microsoft has already released integration with LinkedIn for all version and the deals with MySpace and Facebook. With this coming out, users will be able to keep an eye on the person’s most recent social networking activity. Much like many things you do already and know of. Like your personal contact from your professional network, LinkedIn or your status updates flooding in from Facebook.
The new add-on makes your Outlook client more of a desktop based social network. While this does sound interesting, it isn’t happening just yet given that the add-ons for Facebook and MySpace integration will go live once the Office 2010 product is available in June this year. Will definitely be worth it for all those who are avid users of Outlook and would do anything to have Facebook and other social networking option right in the Outlook client.
However, Microsoft at times just surprises me. I mean it has got a plethora of products all around, some of them, like the MSN Messenger, Hotmail, etc have dominated the Web by quite a margin while others simply remain a shadow. I am talking about services like Windows Live Blog, etc. This one is another attempt by the software giant to have some connection cum presence on the Web. Hope this works out good too.
