Microsoft Is Developing a Performance-Focused 'Outlook Lite' App for Android

pcmag.com:

Microsoft is expected to launch an Outlook Lite app for Android later this month aimed at low-end devices worldwide.

As ZDNet reports(Opens in a new window), a reference to "Outlook: Outlook Lite for Android" was added to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap(Opens in a new window) on June 30 with General Availability listed as "July 2022." The app description simply states, "An Android app that brings the main benefits of Outlook in a smaller app size with fast performance for low-end devices on any network."

Microsoft has offered an Outlook app for Android(Opens in a new window) for years, but this looks to be a simplified version allowing Microsoft's email client to be available to a much broader user base. The worldwide availability and reference to "any network" suggests Microsoft sees the potential to grab some market share in developing countries and locations where 5G, and possibly even 4G, isn't an option.

Outlook Lite isn't actually new. Microsoft has been offering a lighter Outlook app in a few countries already, but it was limited to personal accounts and therefore couldn't be used for school or business purposes. This new version of Outlook Lite will likely remove such limitations and may end up being a preferable option even for those users on fast 5G connections and high-end smartphones.

If this sounds familiar, it's most likely because Facebook did a similar thing several years ago. Back in 2015 the social network launched a Facebook Lite app for emerging markets. Then in 2018, Facebook realized developed countries endure slow connections, too, and allowed US users to download the Lite app. It's still available on Google Play, but the reviews are far from positive(Opens in a new window). Let's hope Outlook Lite