Outlook iOS App – Nice try but with caveats

This week Microsoft released a “new” iOS app for Outlook.

Microsoft Outlook - App Store on iTunes

As I understand it, it is based on a previous “Acompli” iOS app purchased by Microsoft.

Nevertheless, it is slick, allows you to see multiple email accounts in a unified inbox, does some magic to try to sort mail into various groupings for easy processing, etc.

I downloaded it and it worked great for my Outlook accounts.

Here are more articles and details.

• A deeper look at Outlook for iOS and Android - Office Blogs
• Office everywhere: More great news for Office on iOS and Android - The Official Microsoft Blog
• Frequently asked questions about Outlook for iOS and Android – Microsoft
• Microsoft Outlook App Released for iOS and Android Devices - Next of Windows
• RELEASE: Outlook for iOS (RTM) & Outlook for Android (Preview) - Kurt Shintaku's Blog
• Microsoft launches Outlook for iOS and Android – BetaNews
• Outlook for iPhone and iPad is here — Office fans rejoice! – iMore
• Acompli-based Outlook for iOS, Android promises to do more in 24 seconds - Ars Technica

However, there are some potential security concerns..both for those who might like to use it with their corporate Outlook accounts and for standard users as well.

I can’t recommend using it (just yet) with any work-based accounts, nor would I consider using it on a workplace issued iPhone. At least not until more work is done.

If you are curious about the security fuss, take a look at these articles and choose accordingly.

• Warning – Microsofts Outlook app for iOS breaks your company security - {rene.winkelmeyer} - IBM Champion
• Updates on the latest Outlook iOS App issues -{rene.winkelmeyer} - IBM Champion
• Outlook for iOS app "breaks" corporate security, developer says - ZDNet
• Outlook Mobile in criticism – Caschys Blog (Google Translated page link)

I’m going to play with the the app some more for now with a toss-away Outlook account to get more familiar with the product.

I really like what I see but I’m just not sure about the security concerns just yet. I need to hear more debate and see more data before becoming convinced.

Constant Vigilance!

Clause Valca