Microsoft wants you to pay for AI-generated themes in Outlook on Windows, Mac, and mobile

Microsoft wants you to pay for AI-generated themes in Outlook on Windows, Mac, and mobile

What you need to know

  • Microsoft is adding new AI-generated theme support to the new Outlook app on Windows and third-party platforms.
  • However, the feature requires an active subscription to Copilot Pro, meaning you must pay to access the AI-generated themes.
  • Outlook already has a basic selection of free themes.

As a long-time user of various email clients, I must say that I find myself both intrigued and somewhat dismayed by Microsoft’s latest move with Outlook. On one hand, the idea of AI-generated themes that dynamically adapt to my current weather or location sounds fascinating. It’s a concept that holds promise for personalization and could potentially make my digital workspace more engaging.


From my perspective, I’ve noticed that the latest version of Outlook isn’t exactly shining in comparison. It seems bulkier and less responsive than its predecessor, the Windows Mail app, even though it’s supposed to be an upgrade. Unfortunately, it lacks several features and seems less powerful than the full Win32 Outlook it aims to eventually replace.

AI-powered Copilot creates designs for Outlook themes, tailoring them to weather conditions or locations. Microsoft describes this enhancement as an effort to make Outlook “more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.” While the previous version of Outlook offered a variety of free themes, the newly introduced AI-generated ones will adapt to the dynamic elements of your daily life, like the current climate or your chosen location.

As a captivated user, I find that the enchantment lies in the self-developing nature of this personalization, tailoring itself according to my distinctive circumstances and individual flair. If I so desire, I can customize my Copilot Themes to adapt dynamically at intervals I specify – from frequent updates every few hours, daily, weekly, or monthly. Each AI-crafted theme is unique, making no two alike.

Microsoft wants you to pay for AI-generated themes in Outlook on Windows, Mac, and mobile

It seems the concept is quite appealing initially, however, it’s worth noting that there’s a monthly fee associated with it. The AI-enhanced themes are included in Microsoft’s Copilot Pro plan, priced at $20 per month. This subscription grants you access to Copilot across various Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Teams as well.

Although it’s pleasing to observe Microsoft introducing fresh superficial attributes to the latest Outlook, there are deeper issues that require attention. The new Outlook continues to feel slower and heavier than I’m accustomed to for an email client, and it also seems prone to numerous bugs, such as delayed notifications and ongoing problems with offline functionality.

I’ve said it before, but I think the app is a sorry replacement for the Windows Mail & Calendar apps, and I wish Microsoft would go back and update those instead of pushing on with this new Outlook for Windows web app. The good news is that because the new Outlook is a web app, these new AI themes are cross-platform compatible, so you can set it on Windows, Mac, the web, Android, and iOS.

via The Verge

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2024-11-07 20:10