Microsoft updates Windows 8's Mail, Calendar and People apps

Microsoft has rolled out updates for Windows 8's Mail, Calendar and People apps. Users will have to go to the Windows Store to get the update as it won't be installed automatically.

The update to the Mail app allows you to use filters to see only unread emails. One can create and delete folders directly within the Mail app and also select items within a folder and/or move or delete them. Users can flag mails as important too; these emails will appear in the user's inbox or in any other folder in the account. Additionally, flagged emails will be available in a "Flagged" folder within the app, so users can see all their flagged emails together.

A lot of the new features are part of the app commands in the Mail app. These can be initiated by swiping from the bottom or top of their screen or by right-clicking with a mouse.

Users can also add, edit and delete hyperlinks and bulleted or numbered lists in email messages with more ease. Importantly, the app keeps email messages "within a two-week timeframe" to save on disk space and battery life. Users can, however, change that setting. You can also search for your emails on the server via the Mail app.

The Calendar app has been updated to make entries easier to read. In place of the solid blocks of colours, the app shows colours in a small bar on the left for each appointment. A new "Work Week" view has also been included. It also comes with a scheduling assistant for business accounts that use Microsoft Exchange. Those who know how to schedule meetings in Microsoft Outlook and see when a person's available will be able to do the same thing in the Calendar app.

 The app also allows you to forward meeting invitations, send an email to all meeting attendees, pick more recurrence options for meetings and events happening time and again, and also set end dates for such meetings.

The People app has been updated to enable easier navigation. It has a new navigation bar at the top that allows users to quickly move between their profile, where they can post status updates and Tweets, or the What's New section where they can see what their friends are posting. Users can now post on their friends' Facebook wall from within the app as well. There is also the ability to quickly filter one's What's New feed by social network.

The Windows Experience Blog stated that the apps enable users to manage their communication on Windows PCs and tablets across their multiple accounts. "This update will bring improvements to your Windows experience across your whole life - your personal communication and your work. You will see big improvements to performance and additional new features to make it easier to connect with friends and colleagues, manage your inboxes, create and send email, and manage your calendar," it reads.

[via tech2]