Last week, Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) published a poll on its Web site soliciting feedback from Mac users of its Outlook and Exchange Server products. The goal for the information being gathered is to help Microsoft plan “future products for the Macintosh.”
One online news source has apparently taken this information, misrepresented quotes from a Microsoft PR representative, and suggested that Microsoft is currently in development of a new Mac OS X-compatible version of Outlook — its enterprise messaging and collaboration client.
Right now, the MacBU is only gathering information and has not begun development of the product. That’s the definitive word as told to MacCentral by Erik Ryan, Product Manager for Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit.
“We are hearing a lot of great feedback from Macintosh customers about their need for Microsoft Exchange support for Mac OS X,” said Ryan. “The Macintosh Business Unit is currently looking into how this functionality will fit into the next versions of our email applications. Many customers have probably seen the Outlook/Exchange survey on Microsoft MacTopia site and that is just one of the ways we are gathering feedback from our customers.”
“It’s important to point out, however, that the Macintosh Business Unit is currently in the research and planning phases of our next round of products, and not in development,” Ryan emphasized. “We’ll update the Macintosh community on our development plans when we have something specific to announce.”
If you’re interested in Outlook and Exchange support for the Mac, go to the MacTopia Web site and fill out the survey.