Microsoft beefs up Mac and mobile support with Office 365 update

Microsoft has rolled out the first major update to Office 365, adding support for Apple OS X and Windows Mobile 7.5.

The update allows Mac OS users to access the Lync social networking service, completing the full OS X port of Office 365, while Windows Mobile 7.5 users can now access and update SharePoint Online document files from their handsets, and use a new set of connectivity options for SharePoint.

Other new features include improvements to the SkyDrive file backup service, offering improved performance when backing up and sharing files, social networking data and personal contacts.

Microsoft claims that 41 of the Interbrand Top 100 listed companies use Office 365, and that more than 90 per cent of Office 365 use is by firms with fewer than 50 employees.

"Customers are adopting Office 365 eight times faster than our previous service, and the solution is on track to become one of our fastest growing offers in Microsoft history," said Microsoft Office division president Kurt DelBene. "We are also seeing great traction with small businesses."

Office 365 was launched in June and integrates Microsoft's traditional productivity suite with the growing market for web-based office applications.

Early reviews of Office 365 noted the platform's portability and flexibility, but highlighted a number of areas that needed improvement.