Google Calendar vs Outlook

September 14, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a free time-management web application offered by Google. The Ajax-driven interface enables users to view, add, and drag-and-drop events from one date to another without reloading the page. It supports view modes such as weekly, monthly, and agenda. Google Calendar allows multiple calendars to be created and shown in the same view. Each can be shared, either read-only or with full edit control, and either with specified people or with everyone (public calendars).
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Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft. It can be used as a stand-alone service/application, or can work with Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SharePoint Server for multiple users in an organization, such as shared mailboxes and calendars, Exchange public folders, SharePoint lists and meeting schedules.
Google Calendar and Outlook are both popular calendar applications, but they have distinct differences in their features and approach. Google Calendar is a web-based calendar that offers seamless integration with other Google services such as Gmail and Google Drive. It provides features such as event scheduling, reminders, shared calendars, and integration with other third-party applications. Google Calendar emphasizes simplicity, ease of use, and collaboration, making it suitable for individuals and teams. On the other hand, Outlook is a comprehensive personal information manager that includes email, contacts, tasks, and calendar functionalities. Outlook offers features such as calendar syncing, event scheduling, reminders, and advanced task management. It is known for its integration with Microsoft Office suite and strong email management capabilities. Outlook provides a robust and unified platform for managing various aspects of personal and professional life.

See also: Top 10 Productivity software
Google Calendar vs Outlook in our news:

2023. Gmail brings in Calendly-style availability sharing from Google Calendar



Google has introduced additional functionalities to Gmail that pertain to scheduling, in conjunction with Google Calendar integration. These new features include the ability to swiftly create events and easily share availability. In the conversation view of Gmail, a calendar icon now resides at the bottom, offering two options: "Create an event" and "Offer times you're free." The "Create an event" button functions straightforwardly by generating a Google Calendar event, with the email subject serving as the event name and the email recipients as participants. Moreover, it produces a meeting summary within the email body, enabling efficient sharing of meeting details. While this feature was previously accessible within Gmail's three-dot menu, it now boasts greater prominence and accessibility.


2022. The new Outlook client is a collaboration hub



Microsoft has commenced the rollout of the revamped Outlook for Windows, a project that has been in development for over two years. The primary objective of this update was to achieve a unified interface between the Windows program and the web version, Outlook.com, which has been successfully accomplished. The forthcoming Mac version will also adopt the same interface. The new Outlook enables users to view their emails, tasks, and calendar on a single screen, enhancing productivity. It integrates with the new service called Loop, allowing users to send messages to Teams, access files from SharePoint, and collaborate on projects directly within the email body. Furthermore, the updated version offers the ability to quickly convert emails into tasks or events, attach files using @mentions, pin important emails to the top of the list, and seamlessly manage Gmail accounts alongside other email accounts.


2022. Microsoft launches Outlook Lite for low-powered Android phones



Microsoft has unveiled the lightweight Outlook Lite Android app, designed specifically for low-end Android devices and areas with limited data connectivity. This app has a compact download size of less than 5MB, in contrast to the regular version that can exceed 80MB depending on the device. Currently, the app is only accessible in certain countries, although Microsoft has expressed intentions to expand its availability to additional regions in the future. In June, the company included this app in its Office 365 roadmap, indicating a potential wider release. With Outlook Lite, users can conveniently access their emails, calendars, and contacts for various account types such as Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, MSN, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Exchange Online.


2020. Microsoft Outlook is getting text predictions, 2 years after Gmail



Microsoft's Outlook is introducing a new functionality that offers word and phrase suggestions while composing messages, making email autocompletion effortless for users. This feature will be available on both Outlook.com and Outlook on the web. As you compose an email, Outlook may present text suggestions, which can be accepted by pressing the Tab key or the right arrow key. If you prefer to disregard the suggestion, simply continue typing. Users will also have the option to disable text predictions by navigating to Settings – View all Outlook settings – Mail – Compose and reply. Under Text predictions, you can uncheck the "Suggest words or phrases as I type" box.


2019. Microsoft integrated its personal organizer app To-Do with Outlook


Microsoft has recently unveiled an updated version of its Microsoft To-Do personal organizer. This new release introduces a range of exciting features, including the ability to fully customize the color scheme and background. Additionally, users now have the option to enable 2-factor authorization for enhanced security. The updated Microsoft To-Do also offers smart recommendations to help users create their task lists for the day efficiently. Furthermore, the integration with Outlook has been seamlessly implemented, allowing the Flagged Email list in the app to display flagged messages from Outlook.com. The integration extends further to include Microsoft Planner, a project management service, as well as voice assistants Alexa and Cortana. Notably, Microsoft hinted at the potential closure of Wunderlist, a service acquired by Microsoft four years ago, which served as the foundation for the development of Microsoft To-Do. Following this, the founder of Wunderlist, Christian Reber, publicly expressed his desire for Microsoft to repurchase the service and transform it into an open-source product via a tweet.


2018. G Suite apps and Google Calendar are getting Gmail’s side panels



The new Gmail boasts a notable feature: a convenient quick-access side panel that provides easy navigation to Google Calendar, Tasks, Keep, and Gmail extensions. Now, Google is extending this functionality to other applications within the G Suite, including Google Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. In Google Calendar, users will have swift access to Keep and Tasks, while in the remaining G Suite apps, they will enjoy easy access to Calendar, Keep, and Tasks. G Suite subscribers on the rapid release schedule can already access this feature, while those on the slower release schedule can expect access within two weeks.


2018. Google Calendar gets an Out of Office mode



Google Calendar has introduced two new features: an "Out of Office" feature and customizable working hours. By setting working hours, you can indicate your availability to others, and Google Calendar will automatically decline meeting requests that fall outside of these designated hours. When creating an event using Google Calendar on the web, you now have the option to select the "Out of Office" calendar entry type. For instance, if you are scheduling your vacation dates, you can mark the event as "Out of Office." During this period, if others send you meeting invitations, Google Calendar will automatically decline them, without requiring your intervention.


2018. Google Calendar now lets you add a message when you change an event



Google Calendar has introduced a valuable new feature. Whenever you modify or delete an event, a dialog box will now appear, allowing you to include a brief message that explains the reason behind the change and outlines the specific modifications. This message will be displayed at the top of the event details section on both the event page in Google Calendar and in the email notifications sent to your guests regarding the update. With this automatic dialog box prompt, more users are likely to provide explanations for their changes compared to before. This feature is currently being rolled out to all G Suite users and is expected to become available to everyone, regardless of whether their administrators have opted for the rapid release or schedule release schedule, within the next three days.


2017. Outlook.com gets LinkedIn integration



The integration of LinkedIn within Outlook.com is now being rolled out, enabling users of the email platform to access valuable insights, profile pictures, work history, and more directly within their inbox. This isn't the first instance of LinkedIn data being incorporated into email services. Prior to its acquisition by Microsoft, LinkedIn itself acquired a smaller company called Rapportive, which had developed a popular Gmail add-in that integrated social profile information into Gmail's web application. The add-in was later reimagined to focus primarily on LinkedIn integration, rather than connections to other platforms like Facebook and Twitter. With the new integration in Outlook, customers can simply click on the name of an email contact within their inbox to instantly access a comprehensive contact card, complete with a link to their LinkedIn profile.


2017. Google redesigned Calendar for web



Google has introduced new updates for the web version of Google Calendar, granting PC users access to the sleek layout and user-friendly controls previously available exclusively on the mobile app version of this G Suite tool. With the redesigned calendar layout, the display automatically adjusts to optimize screen utilization. While most of the additional features accompanying the web redesign will prove beneficial for users within larger organizations, one particularly useful enhancement enables the simultaneous viewing of multiple users' calendars side by side for a selected day, facilitating schedule coordination. Moreover, Calendar Invites now support the inclusion of formatting and hyperlinks directly within the description field, while G Suite administrators gain the ability to provide more detailed information about conference rooms within their organization.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com