Microsoft has announced a new version of Outlook for OS X users and if you subscribe to Office 365, you can download the updated email client today. Also, the company has said that a public beta of Office for Mac will arrive in the first half of 2015. This is the first large release of a new Outlook client for OS X in some time. The last major update was the Office 2011 release and this update brings with it many new features and improvements.

Updates for Outlook for Mac include:

- Better performance and reliability as a result of a new threading model and database improvements.
- A new modern user interface with improved scrolling and agility when switching between Ribbon tabs.
- Online archive support for searching Exchange (online or on-premises) archived mail.
- Master Category List support and enhancements delivering access to category lists (name and color) and sync between Mac, Windows and OWA clients.
- Office 365 push email support for real-time email delivery.
- Faster first-run and email download experience with improved Exchange Web Services syncing.

In addition to the new email client, Microsoft is also sharing some information on the Office roadmap for Office on OS X as well. The company says that there will be a public beta of the next version of Office for Mac in the first half of 2015 and the final release will come in the second half of 2015.