Microsoft buys Acompli to extend mobile Office features

Microsoft has acquired mobile app developer Acompli to beef up the software giant's suite of Office apps, particularly its collaboration features.

Rajesh Jha, corporate vice president of Outlook and Office 365 at Microsoft, wrote on the company blog that the acquisition will help the company's customers acomplish more with their mobile devices.

He explained that Acompli's current app offers an innovative way of reading email on mobile devices - something that is increasingly happening as mobile working becomes more commonplace.

The app allows users to schedule meetings and work with attachments and files to put collaboration at the forefront of its functions.

Jha aid: "This acquisition brings us an app with innovative technology and a set of talented people who are passionate about reinventing email and communications on mobile screens. It will expedite our work to deliver the full power of Office to mobile devices."

He wrote about the milestones Microsoft has reached this year, regarding mobile devices, including the launch of Office on the iPad and iPhone and the news the apps will be coming to Android too in the coming months.

"In a world where more than half of email messages are first read on a mobile device, it's essential to give people fantastic email experiences wherever they go," Jha continued.

"We're excited about what's possible as we build on the app's success and bring it together with work currently in progress by the Outlook team. Our goal is to deliver fantastic cross-platform apps that support the variety of email services people use today and help them accomplish more."