O'Grady's PowerPage

Category: Apps

  • Microsoft planning significant Outlook for Mac overhaul with focus on user interface, syncing improvements

    In addition to Microsoft overhauling its iOS apps and essentially consolidating them into one centralized Office app, it looks like the company is planning some hefty changes to Outlook for Mac over the next few weeks.

    It’s been reported that the new version of Outlook will feature significant performance improvements as well as enhancements to syncing.

    The goal of this update to Outlook for Mac is seemingly to bring the Mac app in line with what’s already available on the web and on iOS. There are new single line views for reading and writing emails, as well as a new mail compose UI and support for ignoring emails.

    Other interface changes will include collapsible panels, being able to adjust the main view, a new “My Day” day calendar alongside the main email screen, and an improved search bar with Microsoft Search integration.

    Outlook for Mac is also revamping the iconic ribbon along the top. In a statement, Microsoft said that the new ribbon is “fully customizable” by users:

    Other new changes will include changes to syncing that should improve performance with all email accounts, including Gmail. The interface tweaks bring added customization options, a look at your calendar, and more.

    The revamped Office will roll out to beta testers this week.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and The Verge

  • Microsoft announces Office app for iOS

    Sometimes you have to change things.

    Or at least condense them all together.

    Microsoft on Monday announced that it would be combining its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps for iOS into a new iOS app called “Office”

    Per Microsoft, the Office app will offer a new way to use Microsoft’s tools as well as save space on your iOS device.

    The company offered the following comments as well as released the attached video:

    The new Office mobile app represents our vision for what a productivity solution would look like if first built for mobile devices. In designing this new experience, we first considered how people’s expectations differ when using a phone versus a computer, so we set out to optimize for simplicity, efficiency, and common mobile needs.

    The Office app has yet to be officially released, although you can sign up for a preview version via the link below.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Microsoft

  • DataMan app adds multiple data plan management feature

    This could definitely be useful.

    Developer Johnny Ixe has released a new version of the DataMan app for iOS that allows users to track and manage multiple data plans.

    The app allows users to manage multiple plans, each with their own profile as well as a set of plan details and usage data. In short, a plan can created for assorted purposes, such as home use, travel, or weekend use.

    The feature could come in handy for users with more than one data plan, separate data caps for different times, or international travel roaming plans.

    If you have the newest version of the DataMan app, you can follow these instructions to begin creating data plan profiles as needed:

    To start: Swipe Left > Data Plan > Add New Plan.

    DataMan retails for $0.99 in the App Store and requires iOS 13.1 or later and/or watchOS 6 or later to install and run.

    If you’ve tried the latest version of DataMan and have any feedback to offer, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via the App Store and Twitter


  • Apple releases HomePod 13.2.1 update, looks to resolve “bricking” issue created by HomePod 13.2

    Just hang on for a while and an update will emerge.

    Apple on Wednesday released the HomePod 13.2.1 update. The patch comes as a response to the company’s 13.2 update, which led to some HomePod units becoming non=functional.

    If you installed 13.2 after it was released last Monday, the HomePod could be bricked if you reset the HomePod or removed it from the Home app. Apple withdrew the 13.2 update hours after initial reports appeared of bricked HomePods.

    For users who installed the 13.2 update and found their HomePod bricked, they’ll need to contact Apple support and bring their unit into an Apple Store for service.

    You can use the following instructions to install 13.2.1 for the HomePod:

    Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch needs to be updated to the latest version of iOS. You can do this through Settings > General > Software Update.

    1. Launch the Home app.
    2. Tap the Home icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
    3. Tap Software Update.
    4. When the update appears, tap Install.

    If you’ve tried the HomePod 13.2.1 update and have any feedback to offer, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via Macworld