These past few days, both Microsoft and Apple have unveiled new products, not only software but also new hardware. And at both events, Microsoft and its products have had a strong presence.
In Apple's case, software products will be integrated into the new Touch Bar that Apple has incorporated into the new MacBooks. This bar, which is essentially a reconfigurable touchpad, will have new options depending on the Microsoft Office program being used.
If you're using Microsoft Word, the Touch Bar will offer formatting and font options that will help you work in distraction-free mode without having to leave the program. This is useful for those who use this mode. In Excel, the Touch Bar will reconfigure with each cell you tap , displaying buttons to apply specific formulas or use macros within your Excel spreadsheets.
Touch Bar will change depending on the Office program we use
In the case of Microsoft Outlook, the Touch Bar will have features and buttons that will improve the use of email and calendars , and it will also have a button to receive Skype for Business calls, just like on a smartphone.
In the case of Microsoft PowerPoint, the user will be able to have a complete map of all the elements of the slide , so that by clicking on it we will select the object and we can use or manipulate it as we wish on the slide.
All these extra features not only make Apple's Touch Bar worthwhile, but also make Apple devices with Microsoft software more productive than other devices. What's most striking, however, is that the relationship between Apple and Microsoft remains as good as ever, if not better , something that continues to impress long-time users.