Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Microsoft: Out with Hotmail, In With Outlook.com

Microsoft has a message for users of its venerable Hotmail email service: it's time for a change. To that note, Microsoft said Tuesday that it has launched Outlook.com, a new email service--currently available as a preview--that it says will "reimagine personal email". Microsoft introduced the new service yesterday, saying that it's taking a "bold step" and "break from the past", building its new email service from the round up. The new service includes a new user interface, does not include display ads, connects into social networks, contact lists, automatic sorting and categorization of messages, and integration with its Office Web apps, among many other features. The preview is available via an "upgrade" link on Hotmail, and also allows users to sign up for a new @outlook.com email address.