Microsoft update the Windows 8.1 Mail, Calendar and People apps

Microsoft have updated the Windows 8.1 Mail, Calendar and People apps. Microsoft do seem to like keep us guessing with their release notes, sometime there are no notes and sometimes they include the notes from the previous release. This time the notes list a lot of new features all of which seem to be already in the app. The mail app has certainly improved over the last few releases.

Here are what Microsoft say has changed in the release notes:

What’s new in Mail

• See all messages from your favourite people in one place.

• See a more organised Outlook.com inbox with social updates and newsletters filed away automatically.

• Use Sweep to clean up your Outlook.com inbox.

• Delete, flag and mark messages from the message list.

• Drag and drop messages into folders.

• Select multiple messages at once with checkboxes.

• Write new messages without leaving your inbox.

• Open a message, draft or attachment in a separate window.

• Search across all emails in all folders.

• Create automatic replies for when you’re away.

• Choose the default font and colour for new messages.

• Get info about any sender by tapping on their name.

What’s new in Calendar

• Check your agenda, and personalise the What’s Next view with your own background picture.

• Add events quickly by typing directly into Week view.

• Jump to a different date with the new date picker.

• Edit your responses to invitations before sending them.

What’s new in People

• Search and browse for contacts more quickly.

• View, edit and link contacts more easily.

• Add a custom picture for a contact. What’s new in Mail
• See all messages from your favourite people in one place.
• See a more organised Outlook.com inbox with social updates and newsletters filed away automatically.
• Use Sweep to clean up your Outlook.com inbox.
• Delete, flag and mark messages from the message list.
• Drag and drop messages into folders.
• Select multiple messages at once with checkboxes.
• Write new messages without leaving your inbox.
• Open a message, draft or attachment in a separate window.
• Search across all emails in all folders.
• Create automatic replies for when you’re away.
• Choose the default font and colour for new messages.
• Get info about any sender by tapping on their name.

What’s new in Calendar
• Check your agenda, and personalise the What’s Next view with your own background picture.
• Add events quickly by typing directly into Week view.
• Jump to a different date with the new date picker.
• Edit your responses to invitations before sending them.

What’s new in People
• Search and browse for contacts more quickly.
• View, edit and link contacts more easily.
• Add a custom picture for a contact.