The next generation Hotmail is due to be released in July or August. With the next release, users will see a number of improvements.
- Security will get stronger with encryption.
- Phone over-the-air sync with Exchange ActiveSync for email, contacts, and calendar.
- 10GB of attachments in a single message through Skydrive linking
- Send instant messages & text message through Hotmail to your Messenger contacts
- Outlook integration for mail, calendar, and contacts
- Photos can be viewed from within the message preview window in slide show mode (leverages Silverlight) pictures will be automatically uploaded and stored in Sky Drive and displayed through the message.
- You Tube and Hulu videos can be played from within the message too; keeping users within the context of their inbox.
- Big improvements for message management are coming as well with threaded conversations, filtering, social network summaries, and more.
- Of course, there will be integration with Office web apps for viewing and editing attached documents.
For more information on the new Hotmail coming this summer, visit: http://windowslivepreview.com/hotmail/overview/
Here are several articles already released:
Associated Press
Microsoft upgrade aims to make Hotmail cool again
By Michael Liedtke
May 17, 2010
MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37203499
Investor’s Business Daily http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=136059&source=APOnline- Wired
Microsoft Seeks to put Hot Back in Hotmail with new features
By Ryan Single
May 17, 2010
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/05/microsoft-hotmail-facelift/ - eWeek
Microsoft Announces Hotmail Revamp
By: Nicholas Kolakowski
May 17, 2010
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Applications/Microsoft-Announces-Hotmail-Revamp-837200/ - TechCrunch
Meet the new Hotmail: Sleeker, Faster and a Powerful Weapon Against Inbox Overload
By Jason Kincaid
May 17, 2010
http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/17/meet-the-new-hotmail-sleeker-faster-and-a-powerful-weapon-against-inbox-overload/ - IDG News (PC World)
Microsoft Rolls Out Hotmail Enhancements
By Jeremy Kirk
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/196490/microsoft_rolls_out_hotmail_enhancements.html - TechFlash
Microsoft’s new Hotmail will attempt to excavate your inbox
By Todd Bishop
http://techflash.com/seattle/2010/05/new_hotmail_takes_crack_at_clutter.html - Technologizer
Hotmail Heats up with Major Upgrade on its Way
By Harry McCracken
May 17, 2010
http://technologizer.com/2010/05/17/hotmail-heats-up-major-upgrade-on-its-way/ - PC Mag
Windows Live Hotmail (Wave 4 Beta)
By Michael Muchmore
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2363868,00.asp - Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows
The New Hotmail
By Paul Thurrott
http://www.winsupersite.com/live/hotmail.asp - VentureBeat
New Hotmail takes aim at Gmail’s top features
Paul Boutin
May 17, 2010
http://venturebeat.com/2010/05/17/hotmail-gmail/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=twitter-publisher-main&utm_campaign=twitter
Includes competitive chart vs gmail that I think is part of the rev guide - Seattle PI
Will the new Hotmail make Outlook obsolete for consumers?
By Nick Eaton
http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/206244.asp?from=blog_last3
kurtsh
Kurt Shintaku's Blog 