Facebook and Outlook Integration. Good or bad?

Microsoft is announcing today that it has integrated Facebook and Windows Live into Outlook via its Outlook Social Connector, bringing the streams of millions of Facebook users into inboxes across the world.

Last year, Microsoft launched Outlook Social Connector, a plugin that syncs social networking feeds with your Outlook contacts, giving you immediate data on what they are doing and thinking. It started last year with LinkedIn integration, but soon the company announced MySpace and Facebook were coming.

Today, Outlook completes the cycle with not only Facebook integration, but support for Windows Live Messenger as well. Not only that, but the company is releasing the plugin for Outlook 2003 and 2007 users as well, bringing Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Windows Live Messenger to millions of business and personal inboxes worldwide.

Facebook - outlook integration

Personally, i feel that even though integration is the ultimate way for all social media platforms to proceed. Linking facebook to Microsoft outlook might not be the best idea. For facebook is more personal and where people post rants, un-glamorous photos or videos. Whereas Outlook is mostly used by companies or small businesses, it might be a case where business and pleasure should not be mixed. Microsoft would have to tread carefully and ensure that this tool will not become the next “Google Buzz” and not assume that all users would like to have the ability to integrate their Outlook and Facebook.

However, on the other hand, if such integration becomes a success with users. It will definitely be a game-changer in the world of social media and online interactions will become more entrenched in users daily lives.