Microsoft to bin Entourage for Outlook for Mac

Microsoft today announced that the next version of its Office for Mac product will ship with Outlook rather than Entourage.

The new software, due out next year, will do away with the current email app in favour of the tool Windows users are familiar with.

Outlook for Mac will include a number of innovative features, such as improved integration with the operating system, a new super speedy file-based database and information rights management tools, according to Microsoft's Mac business unit (MacBU).

"It is an exciting time for the MacBU with updates to our current products and the first public announcement about the next version of Office for Mac. For several years we have focused on providing the best Microsoft Exchange client for the Mac, and the Web Services Edition delivers that today for Entourage users," Eric Wilfrid, general manager for the MacBU at Microsoft, said in a statement.

"Outlook for Mac will bring features our customers have long requested such as Rights Management that make working across platforms even easier. I think people will see that this move to Outlook for Mac is more than just a name change."

Microsoft also used the opportunity to unveil an addition to its existing Office for Mac product lineup in the form of a dedicated business edition. This will be available from next month.

This new version will include the usual Office suspects in addition to new data organisation and productivity aids. Users will be able to get their hands on this new product from 16 September at 439.99 and 269.99 for new customers and eligible upgrade customers respectively.