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@ calum-r- I was simply making reference to what Chris said ("There was talk of a migration...

–the andyman

re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

to the andyman: if you think about it, it isn't Windows Live's fault that they haven't given...

–CalumJR

re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

The main reason I haven't switched to my @live address is due to lack of support for migration...

–the andyman

re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

Thanks Chris. I had a feeling I would have to do it that way, which is OK with me, I was just...

–Jesper

re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

Some interesting comments guys, keep them coming. Jesper: There was talk of a migration tool...

–Chris

re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

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LiveSide - News blog

Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

Posted Apr 03 2007, 05:48 AM by Chris with 12 comment(s)

In recent weeks Yahoo Mail has been getting a lot of attention and for the right reasons. First it was their decision to provide all Yahoo Mail users with unlimited storage. With Windows Live Hotmail currently offering 2GB (4GB to Hotmail Plus coming soon), and Gmail offering close to 3GB, its undoubtably more of a symbolic gesture than anything else. It does however raise questions around how much storage should be provided for free in a Windows Live cloud storage service: 5GB, 10GB, 20GB or 50GB?

The Yahoo Developer blog also announced the Yahoo Mail Web Service, an open set of APIs for 3rd party developers to build tools or applications around Yahoo! Mail. The Windows Live Hotmail APIs are still missing in action, though they have been talked about briefly. What drew my attention was the $10 commission for each new Yahoo Mail Plus account that is referred by developers. Would providing more incentives encourage Windows Live developers? Progress in this area seems to be slow, so something needs to seize the imagination of the developer community - maybe Mix07 will do just that.

So the key question is when will Windows Live Hotmail finally launch? An email sent to some UK beta testers at the end of last week said the following:

"Windows Live Hotmail is currently in its last phase of beta testing and we are looking to launch the new and improved Windows Live Hotmail in the next few weeks."

While most testers won't really be too bothered about the service losing its beta tags, the implications of a v1 rollout are quite important. Moving millions of users to the new service will takes time and resources, meaning that new development will likely be slower. On the upside, maybe we'll finally see @live.com email addresses officially available :)

And while I was writing this post, Ellie from the Mail blog just linked to some positive commentary from PCWorld about M10, though they seem to be rather generous with their stars. Two points that jumped out at me from the first paragraph was them giving praise for a) returning to a 12 year old product name b) adding in the IM feature that has been in MSN Hotmail for a while. With Yahoo! Mail Beta looking to lead the way for webmail services, lets hope that Windows Live Mail doesn't drop off the pace during this v1 launch phase.

Filed under: Windows Live, Hotmail

Comments

Zaarin wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Tue, Apr 3 2007 8:26 AM

I'm thus far impressed with the performance of M10, and that it loads correctly from Firefox (at work) correctly, in a couple of seconds - I used to have to wait and then use classic mode with M9.

As you mention, the amount of storage space is probably irrelevant at this point in time as anything other than a marketing gimmick.

I also don't think releasing the email APIs is going to do a huge deal. What other types of programs do you need to open your emails, that can't already?

The most important thing as I see it (at least right at the moment as I'm typing) is interaction with other services. The prime example being an update to MSN Calender, to allow interaction between other users of different email's calendars and information.

Other examples would be to automatically detect an address in an email, and allow you to see it live maps with a click. Or perhaps grab your contact details from your Live Spaces profile and automatically add them to your email signature. These are the sorts of things that could keep Hotmail popular.

For the most part, I think the majority of people will be accessing their email and using it in the same way they have for the last 10 years, for many years to come.

zlinko wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Tue, Apr 3 2007 4:37 PM

I have to say I am impressed to see how far Hotmail has come since I first opened my account years ago... but I am also disappointed how far behind the competition they are.

There are a lot of features out there that I see other emails services have that "need" to be in Hotmail Live. Intergraded IM, Grouping of Emails (ala Google), Tags, and most important updating the calendar.. which is just a shame to see it in its current state.

I will however give them props for finally allowing users to do what they want with this contacts (allowing to export them out of hotmail), even though this should have been an option from the beginning.

Where is the innovation? I thought Hotmail was a leader?

- Why not integrate Live Favorites into Hotmail?

- Allow people to see there new spaces comments with in Hotmail’s Today Page?

- Have your contacts addresses link to Live Maps to map the location.

- Allow the phone number in contact to be active and able to call them like you can in Live Maps.

- Allow Gadgets to be integrated into Hotmail.

- Have the option to post a blog to your Live Space directly from Hotmail.

I could go on but you get the point. There are so many great live products out there but why do they all feel so staggered?

Sorry just my 2 cents. :-)

CalumJR wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Tue, Apr 3 2007 6:58 PM

I agree completely with the comment above; those features would be nice and make it better; however, they may have already thought of these features and put them on a list for future versions.

If you think about it, features like the ones you have suggested will take a lt of time to implement and test. Live Hotmail has been built from scratch starting in 2005, ths; they had to get the most important features done nad working 100% first.

Now with all these important features done and nearely finished, lets hope they can start thinking and implementing more and more improvements, such as the ones suggested above.

About the name change: (I have always had a problem with this)

I think it is awful! I loved "Windows Live Mail" because it went well with the names "Live Messenger" and "Live Mail desktop" You don't see them having "Live Hotmessenger" and "Live Hotmail desktop" do you? No. That would be even more horrible anyway, but I hate inconsistencies!

What everyone needs to do is go to: http://feedback.live.com and lick on "Windows Live Mail" and tell them that the name change is horrible and then they will hopefully change it back.

I think, secretly, they may only be calling it "Windows Live Hotmail" temporarily for about a year to try and get the old Hotmail users transitioned much more comfortably and so they are not confused. Then in about a year or so, hopefully, they will change it back to "Windows Live Mail". Does anyone else think they might be doing this?

I also love the new WLMessenger intergration in the e-mail messages and hopefully in future versions they might extend this feature have have the online/offline status in the contact list.

The font is the biggest change I will have to get used to in this milestone. I like it somewhat, but I also think it is making the interface not as clear for some reason. It makes it seem all bunched up together. Maybe they need to space it all out more. E.g. put another space under the "New" icon and above the "Inbox" icon. Other than the things being cramped together, I love the new different font sizes in the message Subjects and when you've sent it.

The new cell highlight thing for new messages is really good; however they need to change it so the colour suits the theme the user has. The highlight is currently red for all themes!

Well anyway that is my rant over lol. As a whole I love the new build and am delighted to hear that it will be released within "the next few weeks".

Fan-tastic!

Jesper wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Tue, Apr 3 2007 7:30 PM

I for one hope to be able to migrate my @hotmail.com ID/Mail/Space etc. over to my @live.com ID so I won't have to try to move everything manually.

Does anybody know if this is part of the plan?

Chris wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Wed, Apr 4 2007 12:49 AM

Some interesting comments guys, keep them coming.

Jesper: There was talk of a migration tool originally (http://www.betanews.com/article/Microsoft_to_Offer_Livecom_Addresses/1150296078) but things have changed a lot since then.

Moving over manually isn't actually too bad:

- Move emails using WLMd (drag and drop)

- Move contacts using Windows Live Messenger (export / import)

Moving your Space isn't possible unfortunately.

Jesper wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Wed, Apr 4 2007 5:01 PM

Thanks Chris.

I had a feeling I would have to do it that way, which is OK with me, I was just hoping to move my space without all the hassle of saving the posts in Live Writer.

Anyway, as long as we can desktop accessible Live Calendar I can't really ask for more - for now :-)

LiveSide - News blog wrote Windows Live Hotmail Plus mailboxes go to 4GB

on Thu, Apr 5 2007 12:10 AM

Along with recent news of Windows Live Hotmail being updated to M10 and talk of it being released in

the andyman wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Thu, Apr 5 2007 3:58 PM

The main reason I haven't switched to my @live address is due to lack of support for migration really. Sure I can easily transfer all my contacts and emails (although not seamlessly) but what about other things associated with the Live ID on my @hotmail address like my MS Connect info, my Windows Live products settings and info (e.g. my WLFavourites), and changing my WLSpace so that it is associated with a different email address (surely that isn't a big request and is a "feature" that could easily be implemented).

CalumJR wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Thu, Apr 5 2007 6:32 PM

to the andyman:

if you think about it, it isn't Windows Live's fault that they haven't given you or anybody else the tools or services to switch your ID information over.

It isn't their fault becuase you shouldn't have your "@live" ID yet. They have not officially released them

The original plan was for everybody to get thier account details and everything else moved over to their new account when the new domains have offically been released.

So yes it is a big request to ask for at the moment seeing as though you should not have your "@live" domain yet.

(P.S. I am not having a go at you, I have an "@live.co.uk" address which I would have loved to have my old e-mails on (at the time I didn't realise WLMd), but I am just letting you see Windows Live's point of view on this matter).

the andyman wrote re: Where is Windows Live Hotmail going?

on Tue, Apr 10 2007 1:25 PM

@ calum-r-

I was simply making reference to what Chris said ("There was talk of a migration tool originally but things have changed a lot since then") which implied that there is not going to be a migration tool, and was expressing my opinions on how I feel that there should be one and why.

I was not necessarily blaming Windows Live or Microsoft yet but if this type of service or tool is not available when the @live domains are officially available it will be another mistake by them.

LiveSide - News blog wrote Windows Live Hotmail (final) as early as this week?

on Mon, Apr 16 2007 4:30 AM

Windows Live Hotmail, currently in Milestone 10 of a unique and interesting beta, is set to come out

LiveSide - News blog wrote Windows Live Hotmail (final) as early as this week?

on Tue, Apr 17 2007 7:15 PM

Windows Live Hotmail, currently in Milestone 10 of a unique and interesting beta, is set to come out

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