Outlook's new None color will make the app look like the soon-to-be deprecate Mail and Calendar

Outlook will introduce a neutral color category called “None, ” previously featured on the soon-to-be deprecated Mail and Calendar app. The new color will be available on the New Outlook for Windows and Web.

Microsoft says it decided to bring this color in Outlook to provide more flexibility and customization in categorizing emails and calendar events. According to a recent entry to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the new None option should be neutral in tone, allowing users to have items without a designated color.

The company hopes this could provide a cleaner and more organized layout of emails.

Here’s what the entry says:

We’ve introduced a new “None” color category for Mail and Calendar in the New Outlook for Windows and Web. This update provides more flexibility and customization in categorizing your emails and calendar events. By selecting the “None” option, users can now choose to have items without a designated color, allowing for cleaner organization and more control over which items stand out visually. #newoutlookforwindows

The entry says the rollout for the new None option in Outlook will start in December 2024, which is just in time, given that the Mail and Calendar app will be deprecated by then.

Microsoft is most likely releasing this feature to help Mail and Calendar users migrate to the New Outlook more easily, and I can see why. If Outlook resembles the soon-to-be-deprecated app even in design, then people will find it easier to accommodate it.

What’s your take on this? Are you still using the Mail and Calendar app?