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Microsoft wants to help users get some peace and quiet to be productive thanks to a new Outlook update.
The email client introduces “Focus Time”, which allows users to mute all notifications for a period of time so that they can perform those essential tasks.
In an update on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap (opens in new tab), the company notes that users can block the time in their Outlook calendars to get some rest. Doing so will mute notifications not only from Outlook, but also from Microsoft Teams, shutting users off from two of the most disruptive presences for many employees.
Focus time in Outlook
The message also added that users can block “focus events” directly from their Outlook calendar, which should be visible to anyone who has access to a specific calendar, meaning colleagues, colleagues or clients should leave you alone.
The update is currently still labeled “in development” but has a general availability date of January 2023. When released, Microsoft plans to make the feature available to Outlook users across the web, desktop, iOS, and Android.
The news is fairly similar to a feature Google Workspace introduced earlier in its calendar app. The “focus time” tool allows users to block periods when they can avoid meetings and keep their heads down for the real thing.
By setting such a flag in a Google calendar, users can automatically decline meetings, meaning they don’t have to rush at the last minute to get their work done.
Company calendar (opens in new tab) app also makes it easier to find some free time for an appointment or meeting with an improved schedule sharing feature that could boost smaller businesses by upgrading the “booking page” system where users can display their availability with other contacts , by adding a new Share button for smoother sharing.