There are a lot of basic functions in complex apps that don’t require you to open them fully. In the last decade or so, dynamic notifications have been a solution to this, both on desktops and smartphones. But what about stuff in the middle ground, stuff that’s a little too complex for a notification, but still not crying out for a full app launch? Microsoft thinks it has the answer with some new Office tools.

“ Microsoft 365 companions ” is the official name for these tools, continuing the company’s long-running tradition of horrible branding. But these mini-apps that live in the taskbar might be a lot more appealing than their nomenclature, at least to the right kind of user.

During the beta, these mini-apps are only available for Microsoft 365 People, File Search, and Calendar, and

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