As part of Microsoft"s Office 2010 announcements today the company has taken the wraps off a number of social networking add-ins that will be available for Outlook 2010.
Outlook 2010 features a new Outlook Social Connector (OSC) straight into Outlook 2010. The connector provides a stream of content from SharePoint, Windows Live and other social networking sites. At the bottom of Outlook emails users will be provided with contacts latest social networking posts. The presence of social networking inside Office 2010 is part of a broad strategy that Microsoft is implementing. The next version of Windows Live Messenger will also feature a social stream within the client, similar to the OSC.
Microsoft has not currently made Facebook or Twitter add-ins available but according to a Microsoft spokesperson an SDK will be provided so that third party developers can create add-ins. Neowin understands that a Facebook add-in is forthcoming but may not be available until Office 2010 ships. Microsoft confirmed a partnership with LinkedIn that will see the social network stream enter into Outlook 2010 once 2010 ships. Microsoft will make a Windows Live add-in available "early next year".