Microsoft 365 is poised to enhance its offering for Windows 11 users with the introduction of several new companion apps. Set to roll out as early as this month, these apps—People, File Search, and Calendar—promise to streamline workflows and improve connectivity within organizations.
New Microsoft 365 apps
According to the Microsoft 365 roadmap, these companion apps are expected to launch in the coming weeks, although timelines can be fluid. Each app is designed to harness the power of Microsoft Graph, tapping into data from Microsoft 365, Microsoft Entra, and other cloud services, thereby enhancing search capabilities and overall user experience.
- People Companion: This app allows users to swiftly look up colleagues within their enterprise. It offers features such as browsing organizational charts, accessing contact information, and facilitating communication.
- File Search Companion: Users can quickly locate Microsoft 365 files, preview their contents, and share documents with colleagues. This app also provides easy access to recently used files.
- Calendar Companion: This tool enables users to effortlessly access their Microsoft 365 calendar, view upcoming events, join meetings, and search for appointments directly from the Windows taskbar.
The functionality of these apps is particularly noteworthy. For instance, within the People companion app, users can search for contacts by entering various criteria such as name, title, location, department, or specific skills. This flexibility allows for a more tailored approach to finding the right person for collaboration.
While users have the option to navigate through specific applications like Teams to find contacts, the People companion app serves as a convenient shortcut, aggregating information from multiple sources. To utilize the People companion app, users must be enrolled in a Microsoft 365 plan that includes Teams.
Similarly, the File Search companion aggregates information from OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, and other services, streamlining the process of file retrieval. The Calendar companion app draws data from the Microsoft 365 calendar, showcasing appointments and events in a user-friendly manner.
Currently, access to these companion apps is limited to members of the Microsoft 365 Insider Program for Business, but this is expected to change soon. It’s important to note that these new tools are exclusive to Windows 11, marking a significant step in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance productivity and collaboration within its ecosystem.
(Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
While many associate Microsoft 365 primarily with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the suite has evolved significantly over the years. It now encompasses a diverse array of applications, including OneDrive, Teams, and Copilot, along with business-centric tools like SharePoint, Exchange, and Loop, depending on the user’s plan.
As organizations increasingly rely on these powerful tools for productivity, the volume of data generated can become overwhelming. Microsoft’s latest features, including the new companion apps, aim to simplify this experience by consolidating information across the Microsoft 365 suite, making it easier for users to navigate their digital workspace.
