Microsoft today announced the release of Windows Live Hotmail, the much anticipated upgrade to their widely deployed Hotmail web-based email platform. Windows Live Hotmail launches in 36 languages and is one of the first large-scale Microsoft applications to fully support a non-Microsoft browser. In addition, Microsoft has announced the release of a free Microsoft Outlook connector application, which allows management via MS Outlook, and a long awaited mobile version of Windows Live Hotmail.
Microsoft Upgrades Hotmail
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Adam Scheinberg
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Its a good thing they did, Hotmail has been lacking some of the features currently offered by other services (Gmail pops in my mind).
I’ve moved from Hotmail a long time ago, mainly because of the restrictive inbox capacity, clutered user interface, lack of proper POP3 support and… its slowliness.
I think a big number of its currently large userbase is due mostly to MSN Messenger, you would be amazed on how many people think you actually need a Hotmail account to be able to use Microsoft’s Messenger.
Glad to see things improving for Hotmail users though.
PS: Anyone know a good reliable (free) service offering free IMAP support? That would be superb.
Edited 2007-05-07 17:55
[quote]PS: Anyone know a good reliable (free) service offering free IMAP support? That would be superb.[/quote]
yes, my isp does…
I hate to say this, but AOL offers free email accounts with excellent IMAP support. You can get @aol.com or @aim.com if you want, but AOL also allows you to register your own domain for free. So basically, you get a [email protected], 2GB, decent webmail, and free IMAP.
The login process is still slow and hops through far too many different URLs and servers for its own good. The main URL is still insane once logged in. There’s no tagging, lacklustre rules filtering, and no free pop support. Who are Microsoft competing with? 2003?
I noted your comment on MS still not having free POP support. This is a biggie for people I work with. I figured I double check and see if the POP issue was still at large.
I went over to Hotmail.com using Firefox. I didn’t see any details on the service so I figured I’d do a search. From the search bar on the site I entered “POP Support.” The search results ended up being covered by the hotmail sign up/sign in page.
I figured it was a browser issue (so much for supporting non-MS browsers) so I loaded hotmail.com into IE 7 and did the same thing and got the same results. My search results literally behind the sign in page. I can even scroll up and down on the portion I can see by selecting some text and dragging up/down.
I dont’ know. Maybe all my browsers are psycho. I even tried it on a Mac using Safari. Same problem.
Oh well. Maybe next time Microsoft. I don’t think I need to waste anymore time on thier webmail at the moment.
The user interface is still cluttered. The spam filter is absolutely horrible. Very little has changed really. There is no reason whatsoever to stick with hotmail.
+ve
1. Its integration with Windows live mail desktop edition. This just makes it so much more convenient to handle hotmail as compare to other web-based mails.
2. Rich web-interface like drag/drop and right-click.
3. Preview Pane.
4. The ability to create folders.
-ve
1. Web interface slow compared to GMail.
2. Web interface has bad colors compared to crisp GMail colors.
Edited 2007-05-07 18:21
As for all the ado about POP support, I haven’t used POP email since I switched to Gmail…
You should. I use it for backing up on a weekly basis. I still use the web UI for ALL gmailing, but I use both Mail.app at home and Thunderbird at work to keep backup copies of my entire Gmail-box.
I second that.
It has POP support, I use it everyday. I use Outlook for POP, but it only work with one account. I have 2 (two) Hotmail account and only can use one or the other, not both.
I prefer gmail, but right clicking on hotmail rocks.
Have you tried Yahoo Beta. I have a yahoo and gmail account but prefer Yahoo. Right click, click and drag, etc. Just like using a real application and the UI is maybe better than your typical Windows / Mac OS. Okay maybe not better but some touches are nicer.
clicking clicking… try this:
http://lifehacker.com/software/gmail/lifehacker-code-better-gmail-f…
it’s really worth a try
Unfortunately, i can’t use Yahoo’s new stuff with Konqueror unless I change my Browser ID, which sucks.
I only use yahoo once in a while though, so the old interface is good enough.
I use Gmail, but atleast Hotmail is now available in my Lang. I even volunteered and translated gmail, but they would not release it. I might switch now…
You’re telling me. I used to translate for Google through its volunteer programs, but then, they had a nasty habit of declaring a translation ‘done’ when half or more of it was still untranslated from English…
I am a “day-one” Hotmail-user. I get TRASHED with spam – does the filter ever learn?
What is the real propblem with Hotmail is this: Since it is notoriously being used for fake and spam accounts, it is even being rejected in many places to start with !
For example, I checked Starsecur’s page the other day for updates on my full disc encryption and you can’t even register to buy software with them using a Hotmail account! Already quite a few years ago, you couldn’t register with the Hardocp forums for the same reason and I keep seeing Hotmail users being rejected for, well, being Hotmail users. What a shite. How can anyone do serious emailing with it? If I receive a Hotmail-mail, first thing is I suspect a scam. I keep my account though to collect my Dictionary.com vocabulary-of-the-day-emails
After 3 years of collecting, the account is at 3% so it should be ok for the remaining 30 years I am left with. How cool is that, I will reach my “limit” together with my Hotmail account. 
“””
After 3 years of collecting, the account is at 3% so it should be ok for the remaining 30 years I am left with. How cool is that, I will reach my “limit” together with my Hotmail account.
“””
Who says you can’t take it with you? So long, and thanks for all the spam! 😉
I tried the Live beta and gave up after one session. The login took too long, it never remembered my password (still doesn’t) and the interface was just hideous and unusable. I reverted to the original hotmail and now usr Gmail instead. I’ve no real use for Hotmail anymore.
Someone above asked who Hotmail is competing against – 2003? I’d say, more like 1999.
Check out the screenshot on TFA…
– “I want a penguin…”
– “But who doesn’t?”
LMAO. Now we finally know for sure what everybody suspected all along: They wish they had a penguin.
… there is a message similar to this one I just received today:
Hey There: My name is Sara i came accross your email address in your online profile
thought i would drop you a line i am new to all this..i tried meeting people in person at the
bars and such but i can never find any decent people.
I am 25/F/USA 5ft 10/brown hair and blue eyes
Email me back if you wanna chat
This type of email always gets pushed to ‘spam’ in gmail. Why can’t Hotmail get it right?! I thought that most types of spam have been ‘solved’! (especially this type).
Boycott Microsoft products/services ! Gmail and Yahoo both have better services.