Again Office addiction tool Down-Lookout and Xobni alternative

In 2004 it happened for the first time: Microsoft bought the then search engine Lookout for the e-mail client Outlook and stopped the further development and distribution of the software. Exactly ten years later, in 2014, a similar story happens: The search and address book convergence service XOBNI bought by the internet giant Yahoo a year ago is also removed from the market and switched off. But there is a solution. Lookout and XOBNI searched emails, files and desktop data within Outlook and thus significantly made everyday work easier for some people. However, like ten years ago for Lookout, there is also an alternative for XOBNI: Lookeen-e-mail and desktop search technology from Germany.

Details

Lookeen works as a share with all common Outlook versions as well as Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP. Like the search engines at the time, Lookeen searches the local inbox and attachments, files on the desktop, dates, notes and tasks as well as all Exchange server data, public folder and network files across the company. With lookeen you can share index sources with each other – ie a personal search index can be integrated into his looque by a colleague. The XOBNI alternative indexes all data in real time and finds it at lightning speed. Lookeen also works in so-called VDIs, ie in virtual desktop environments. Where the Windows desktop and Outlook search in VdIS fails, Lookeen delivers all search results in record time, because it is compatible with Citrix, terminal server, hyperv and VMware.

Another important topic is the security that Lookeen offers its customers against Xobni: All indexed data is not loaded or sent to the manufacturer’s server. The data posture takes place within the company.

Lookeen are already using 25,000 companies in more than 100 countries. For larger companies, manufacturer Axonic GmbH from Karlsruhe offers a server variant for Windows Server 2008 and 2012.

Further information and a download option can be found at www.lookeen.de or directly via Wintal in the download area.

Conclusion

The history of email and desktop search tools illustrates the challenges and changes in software development over time. In 2004, Microsoft acquired the search engine Lookout for integration with Outlook, leading to the discontinuation of the standalone software. A decade later, a similar pattern occurred with XOBNI, a search and address book convergence service purchased by Yahoo and subsequently removed from the market. These acquisitions demonstrate a recurring theme: even useful and innovative software can disappear when larger companies prioritize integration or discontinue support, leaving users in search of alternatives.

Despite these disruptions, solutions continue to emerge for users who rely on efficient email and desktop search tools. Both Lookout and XOBNI provided valuable functionality by allowing users to quickly search through emails, files, and desktop data within Outlook, streamlining everyday work and increasing productivity. Their absence created a gap in the market, highlighting the ongoing demand for reliable search solutions that integrate seamlessly with popular email clients and desktop environments.

Fortunately, alternatives such as Lookeen, developed in Germany, offer similar capabilities and address the needs left by the discontinuation of XOBNI and Lookout. Lookeen provides robust email and desktop search functionality, enabling users to locate files, emails, and other data quickly and efficiently. This demonstrates that even when software is discontinued, innovative solutions continue to arise, ensuring that productivity tools remain accessible and effective for users.

In conclusion, the evolution of email and desktop search software shows both the risks of relying on proprietary solutions and the resilience of technological innovation. While acquisitions and discontinuations can disrupt workflows, tools like Lookeen illustrate that there are always alternatives that maintain functionality and enhance productivity. Users can adapt to these changes, ensuring that efficient search and data management remain an integral part of their daily computing experience.