NEWS ANALYSIS: Microsoft has officially launched Outlook.com, ending the days of Hotmail Internet email and launching a new cloud email platform linked to its desktop Office productivity applications. Here’s what users know about the new service.
Microsoft
has officially flipped on the Outlook.com switch, marking a significant
change in the companys email strategy. Soon, Hotmail will be a thing of the
past and Outlook.com will be the service that Microsofts online email
subscribers use. Outlook.com is just the latest change that has come to
Microsofts ecosystem and includes everything from Windows 8 launching in
October to improved versions of Office and Windows Phone.
But for now, the focus should be on Outlook.com. After all, it marks a major shift
for Microsoft, and could dramatically impact how Microsofts customers interact
with their email. Outlook.com offers the same basic features as Hotmailsending and receiving emailsbut it comes with so many interesting features
and backend strategies that current and potential users should know more about
how it works.
Read on to learn more about Outlook.com.
1. Hotmail is dead
With the launch of Outlook, Hotmail users can all but kiss goodbye their former
service. Eventually, Hotmail will be discontinued in favor of Outlook.com,
meaning an era is officially ending. So, get ready for it.
2. Its a new design
One of the nice things about Outlook.com is that it delivers an all-new look that
should help users easily navigate through emails. The service comes with a
clean look, streamlined navigation and overall looks much nicer. Thats
important as
Microsoft
attempts to keep customers using its service.
3. Get ready for the land grab
According to some reports, users are grabbing all kinds of email addresses from the
Outlook.com domain, including some that nabbed possible aliases for Microsoft
CEO Steve Ballmer and co-founder Bill Gates. Those looking to sign up for
Outlook that dont have Hotmail accounts now should act quickly to get their
own preferred address.
4. Slide shows are built-in
Since sharing photos has become a popular exploit for email users, Microsoft has
built a slide show feature into Outlook.com. Its a nice addition that will
appeal to many folks who commonly share photos over email.
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