Microsoft replacing Hotmail with upgraded Outlook

[tgell]

I wonder when this will be finalized?

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Microsoft Corp. MSFT -0.59% on Tuesday said it's replacing its Hotmail consumer Web-based e-mail system with an expanded version of Outlook, its e-mail system widely-used by businesses. "In addition to a desktop application and a service for businesses, we're offering Outlook as a personal email service - Outlook.com," a Tuesday company blog post said. Shares of Microsoft were last trading down 0.7% to $29.43.

[Malcontent]

http://reviews.cnet.com/e-mail/micro...-35404526.html

Designed as an eventual replacement to Hotmail, the free browser-based service sports a strikingly simple interface, Skydrive and social media integration, and lots of tweaks both new and familiar. And with a promise of "virtually unlimited" storage (we'll see how that pans out), it should satisfy the most prolific writers and media consumers.

Though currently Outlook.com is only in preview mode, any new or existing Hotmail users can switch over. You'll also have the chance to claim your "@Outlook.com" address.

It looks very beautiful and functional. I think I'll switch.

[Page42]

Thanks for the heads up, tgell.

Though currently Outlook.com is only in preview mode, any new or existing Hotmail users can switch over. You'll also have the chance to claim your "@Outlook.com" address.

Just what I did.

[funkydude]

I "swapped" over and grabbed some good aliases whilst they're still available

New look is miles ahead of the old one.

[gerardwil]

I made a new account from scratch, it works for me.

[Page42]

I don't think Outlook.com is such a great improvement over Hotmail.
That is to say, I have no problems with it.
It seems somehow 'clunkier' than Hotmail, but don't ask me to explain what clunkier means.
(Okay, I'll try... clunkier sorta like cartoonish.)
Anyway, it's okay. Kind of a YAWNer improvement, unless there are security enhancements I'm unaware of, or new features or something.

[Cudni]

Upgraded as well. I like it so far

[acuariano]

seens fine..but who knows

[Raza0007]

What is wrong with hotmail and why don't they just improve hotmail instead of opening a new service? They tried to do this a few years ago with windows live too and that didn't work out, so why would this outlook.com idea work now. It seems to me that some top microsoft executive does not like the word "hotmail" and that is the real reason behind this "trying to switch users to a new service" push.

I am not going to switch from hotmail, this was my first ever email account and holds a lot of sentimental value for me.

[moontan]

Wow!

it's awesome to be early and get a 'vanity license plate'!

instead of getting a message like this:
"Mr Big 1243@outlook dot com is already taken but Mr Big 4958231 is still available!"

[Page42]

Originally Posted by Raza0007

What is wrong with hotmail and why don't they just improve hotmail instead of opening a new service? They tried to do this a few years ago with windows live too and that didn't work out, so why would this outlook.com idea work now. It seems to me that some top microsoft executive does not like the word "hotmail" and that is the real reason behind this "trying to switch users to a new service" push.

I think you've hit on some good points... particularly the top MS executive probably not liking the name Hotmail, so they roll out a new service.

[funkydude]

Originally Posted by Raza0007

What is wrong with hotmail and why don't they just improve hotmail instead of opening a new service? They tried to do this a few years ago with windows live too and that didn't work out, so why would this outlook.com idea work now. It seems to me that some top microsoft executive does not like the word "hotmail" and that is the real reason behind this "trying to switch users to a new service" push.

I am not going to switch from hotmail, this was my first ever email account and holds a lot of sentimental value for me.

It's not really a new service. It's a new look to the current service, plus a brand rename. It's not like you're losing anything you can still use your current account as normal and you'll get the new layout eventually. The @outlook aliases are optional and its a good idea to grab the rare ones now.

[siljaline]

Most of the information required for those making the transition should be all here.

[Raza0007]

Originally Posted by funkydude

It's not really a new service. It's a new look to the current service, plus a brand rename. It's not like you're losing anything you can still use your current account as normal and you'll get the new layout eventually. The @outlook aliases are optional and its a good idea to grab the rare ones now.

What does that mean? One can keep their old hotmail addresses? What I have been reading is that eventually they plan to port all hotmail.com addresses over to outlook.com addresses. So if you have "jane.doe@hotmail.com" as your current address, it will be eventually changed to "jane.doe@outlook.com". Isn't this the case? or am I missing something.

[funkydude]

Originally Posted by Raza0007

What does that mean? One can keep their old hotmail addresses? What I have been reading is that eventually they plan to port all hotmail.com addresses over to outlook.com addresses. So if you have "jane.doe@hotmail.com" as your current address, it will be eventually changed to "jane.doe@outlook.com". Isn't this the case? or am I missing something.

No, I haven't read that anywhere. Infact if you log into outlook.com and create a new alias, whilst you can create @outlook, you can ALSO create @Hotmail and @live still. No one is going to be forced into changing their email address.

[Raza0007]

Originally Posted by Page42

I think you've hit on some good points... particularly the top MS executive probably not liking the name Hotmail, so they roll out a new service.

Instead of re-branding they should improve their service if they plan to compete with others. I mean you can call a "chair" a "table", but it does not change the fact that it is still a chair.

[SirDrexl]

Originally Posted by funkydude

No, I haven't read that anywhere. Infact if you log into outlook.com and create a new alias, whilst you can create @outlook, you can ALSO create @Hotmail and @live still. No one is going to be forced into changing their email address.

Yeah, my ISP has gone through mergers and rebrandings like this and they've never had me change my email addresses. I can even create new "sub accounts" using the same old domain.

[aladdin]

Originally Posted by Raza0007

What does that mean? One can keep their old hotmail addresses? What I have been reading is that eventually they plan to port all hotmail.com addresses over to outlook.com addresses. So if you have "jane.doe@hotmail.com" as your current address, it will be eventually changed to "jane.doe@outlook.com". Isn't this the case? or am I missing something.

Salaams,

Ramadhan Karim!

What will happen if someone grabbed "jane.doe@outloook.com" before the switch over from "jane.doe@hotmail.com"?

Best regards,

[moontan]

Originally Posted by aladdin

Salaams,

Ramadhan Karim!

What will happen if someone grabbed "jane.doe@outloook.com" before the switch over from "jane.doe@hotmail.com"?

Best regards,

you're gonna be able to keep your Hotmail address.
but you will get switched to the new interface later on.

now is the time to grab some good outlook.com names while they're still available.

[Wroll]

MS Mail outclassing Gmail. 2-3 years ago I wouldn't have put my money on it.

[moontan]

i like the new look.

the interface is pretty cool and less cluttered that Hotmail.

[ratchet]

Years ago, when Hm was kind of popular, my children opened an account for my wife. Over the years I've tried to persuade her to try google or yahoo to no avail. Although I too have an account strictly for Skydrive and the alias which I've never used, the thing I really hate about Hm is it is the only thing out there that you have to include @hotmail.com to log in. Is that indeed still the case?

[aladdin]

Originally Posted by moontan

you're gonna be able to keep your Hotmail address.
but you will get switched to the new interface later on.

Not possible if someone already signed up as "outlook.com". Try and register as one of the hotmail email you own as a new outlook email with the same user name? See if it allows you.


Best regards,

[NGRhodes]

UI is a great improvement.
Hopefully they will improve the functionality and fix the numerous little bugs in time or else it will never become my main mail account.