Microsoft buys AI-based calendaring app Genee

Apple users forced to look elsewhere with shutdown of the iOS app by Microsoft next week

Microsoft is to acquire calendaring start-up Genee, an app that uses artificial intelligence to help users schedule meetings, which Microsoft plans to roll into Office 365. However, users of the iOS-based app will have to find an alternative as Microsoft plans to close it down, lock, stock and barrel, on 1 September.

Co-founders Ben Cheung and Charles Lee, who started the company in 2014, will join Microsoft to help with the integration process. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The deal is the second this year that Rajesh Jha, corporate vice president of Outlook and Office 365 at Microsoft, has made for a calendaring app.

"Genee uses natural language processing and optimised decision-making algorithms so that interacting with a virtual assistant is just like interacting with a human one," wrote Jha in a blog posting revealing the deal. "It's especially useful for large groups and for when you don't have access to someone's calendar."

Jha cited an example by which a sales rep might use Genee to schedule a meeting with a potential customer. "Say you want to meet a potential customer, Diana, for coffee. Simply send an email to Diana and copy Genee, like you would a personal assistant.

"Genee understands that you want to 'Find a time to meet with Diana for coffee next week' and will streamline the process by emailing her directly with appropriate options that work with your calendar and preferences. Genee will even send out the meeting invite on your behalf - freeing up your time."

The company's app is also able to make rescheduling meetings easier, too. The app was available solely for Apple's iOS operating system and synchronises with Apple's iCloud and Gmail, as well as Office 365

For Genee, Lee claimed that the company utilises natural language processing, artificial intelligence and chat bots - and thanked the users who will now be cut off as a result of its acquisition by Microsoft. "The Genee team will take the valuable experiences and lessons that you taught us to Microsoft," wrote Lee.

It is the second time this year that Microsoft has acquired a popular mobile app for its functionality and then closed it down. Microsoft bought Sunrise for $100m earlier this year and killed it just months later partly in a bid to persuade users to shift to Outlook.