Microsoft expands Google Calendar and Contacts testing in Outlook for Mac Preview

Microsoft initially started testing Google Calendar and Contact support in Outlook for Mac with Insiders in March, and now it's expanding that test to anyone regardless of Insider status. Now, anyone can download the Outlook for Mac Preview to test out the same features currently available on the Insider Fast ring ahead of release, Microsoft says (opens in new tab).
From Microsoft:
Last month, we announced that we're bringing major improvements to how Google Accounts work in Outlook 2016 for Mac—including an improved setup experience and Google Calendar and Contacts support. We're excited to be delivering on these highly requested features for Mac users—matching Outlook for iOS and Android—by providing Google Accounts with a more powerful way to stay in control of the day ahead. These updates are currently available to our Office Insider Fast community, and we've been excited by the response we've seen.However, we still need some additional feedback before making these updates broadly available.
The worldwide test is set to run through June 30, and is open to anyone willing to download and install the Outlook for Mac Preview — even if you aren't currently an Office 365 customer. If you happen to already subscribe to Office 365, Microsoft is quick to point out that this preview isn't meant for you. Instead, you should opt into the Office Insider Fast ring from the Help menu.
If this sounds like it's up your alley, you can download the Outlook for Mac Preview from Microsoft now.
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Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl.
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Now that is a confusing mix !!
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New features on other platforms yet still can't edit shared calendars in Outlook 2016. Fantastic.
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Why not sort out our own platforms first.
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Props to MS for supporting other platforms.
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MS is trying to lock people into their productivity offering (including Outlook app) and to do that they need to meet the customers where they are (iOS in this case) and ensure feature parity/availability with all required services (even Google).
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It says mac not ios.
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And what good has Google ever done for MS ??
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I am totally happy with Gmail's integration into my iOS Outlook app ...on the phone. I just added Gmail to my Outlook app and it is really nice. I just started using an iPhone (long story), but I'm impressed with Microsoft's good work in creating solid, stable, apps for iOS. Outlook for iOS truly shines.