Microsoft adds Facebook support to Outlook

By Khidr Suleman on Jul 14, 2010 7:32 AM
Filed under Software

Outlook Social Connector integrates social networking site into email program.

Microsoft has launched Outlook Social Connector, a tool that allows Facebook users to view the social networking site as they use their emails.

The plug-in allows people to view status updates, wall posts and photos alongside emails, as well as add friends using the Outlook People Pane. Updates are available in real time, but there is no option to update information through Outlook at present.

Outlook Social Connector offers busy people the convenience of accessing social networks through Outlook, according to a blog post by Paco Contreras Herrera, group product manager for Microsoft Office.

"Working closely with key partners including Facebook, our goal is to help you stay in touch with the people you care about and to simplify your daily routine," he said.

"We built Outlook Social Connector with privacy and security in mind. The information people share is a personal choice, so it's up to you to determine what you share and with whom."

Email addresses are 'hashed' in order to protect privacy, and information from a social network available in Outlook is shown based on a person's privacy settings for the social network, explained Microsoft in an Outlook Social Connector and Privacy statement.

The plug-in has been extended to work with Outlook 2003 and 2007, and has supported LinkedIn and MySpace since last winter.

Outlook Social Connector is available in 19 languages, with more to be added on an ongoing basis, and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Centre. Outlook 2010 users can get the plug-in through Microsoft Update.

Microsoft adds Facebook support to Outlook

4 comments in this discussion

"Relax RB. I think Ewok is part of the new generation of people who don't give a toss about if people look on them in the toilet or whatnot. He's probably lining up in the freezing cold at the ..."

By RaTTyRaTT

Tags

outlook, social, connector, microsoft, people, privacy

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Comments: 4

realitybites Jul 14, 2010 11:45 AM	Whilst I don't use 'Lookout!' and 'Bookface' this makes no difference to me whatsoever. However, most of my customers do, and I can't help but wonder what this will mean from a security point of view at some stage down the track. "We built Outlook Social Connector with privacy and security in mind. The information people share is a personal choice, so it's up to you to determine what you share and with whom." I'm sorry but going on MS's track record I'd have to say, I don't believe you. Prove me wrong by all means but at some point it WILL be exploited, the bad guys WILL find a hole somewhere. I guess I'll brace myself for the influx of calls when that moment comes.
Ewok Jul 14, 2010 1:44 PM	Sure, you could live in your perpetual state of fear all the time realitybites, or you can simply choose to realise that it doesn't matter WHAT software is created and for what purpose, there is ALWAYS going to be someone who will look at it and wonder how they can exploit it/use it to personal advantage. Scaremongers like you is what is wrong with the world in the first place. Go hide in your bomb shelter if it makes you feel better, but don't just outright dismiss the idea of something until you have tried it yourself, just because you're scared of the world.
realitybites Jul 14, 2010 2:29 PM	WTF?!? I ask a question about the implications of linking a social network site to a program that holds people's personal and private data, based on the security track record of both companies involved, and you come back with some diatribe about my state of mind and the way I live my life ? By the sounds of it I'm not the one that needs to be worried about 'living in fear'.
RaTTyRaTT Jul 14, 2010 4:57 PM	Relax RB. I think Ewok is part of the new generation of people who don't give a toss about if people look on them in the toilet or whatnot. He's probably lining up in the freezing cold at the Apple Store to get the next latest iCrap gadget too. No fear, many who work in IT Security are aware of this issue, and frankly, the more people want this type of thing - the more we're going to see increasing virus vectors, phishing attempts, hacking for monetary gain, et al. It's ridiculous to think that you can just freely wire yourself totally into the internet, and not think of whether it is a sensible option or not. It's like leaving your front door open, and saying = no worries, I'm always safe. I think Ewok, you need to grow up a bit mate - you write like a 10 yr old.