MSN Live Mail
Posted on December 26, 2005, by Darren, under World/Web News.
I managed to get onto the Microsoft MSN Live Mail beta trial a few days ago.
This new web-based e-mail system is going to replace the Hotmail service sometime in 2006. Click the thumbnail (right) to see a screenshot.
I have to say, it’s very quick. It looks a little empty right now, but it’s a definite improvement over the currently Hotmail UI. Microsoft are hoping to take on Google’s GMail service, which was one of the big hits of 2005, by also offering 2GB of on-line mail storage, an enhanced AJAX-style interactive interface, heavy spam filtering and message previews (without message opening) similar to its Outlook software. Right-click controls are also available for sorting your messages quickly.
A welcomed addition is the Calendar section, which is similar to the one found in MS Outlook, but has an added twist. You are able to set the calendar so that when important dates/meetings are coming up, an e-mail message gets sent to your account! This is very useful as it is, but will be more so with the addition of the Messenger client (little ‘toaster’ reminders pop-up whenever you get new mail).
Tasks and Notes have also been added to this section. You are even able to share Notes, Task or even the calendar with others on your friends/buddy lists. Very slick.
All in all – it seems MS are very determined to take back some of what Google stole with their mail system in 2006, especially when you consider that ‘Live Mail‘ will only be ONE part of the ‘Live’ domain MS are working on. A new ‘Live Messenger‘ is on its way, along with ‘Live Favourites‘, ‘Live Safety Center‘, ‘Live OneCare‘, ‘Live Search‘, ‘Live Local‘, ‘Live Office‘ (yes – a full Office suite on-line!), ‘Live Xbox 360‘ and ‘Live Jobs‘. No doubt, more ‘Live’ areas will follow thoughout 2006.
Anyone wanting to try it out needs to have a current Hotmail account and live in either the UK, USA, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Japan, France, China, Canada, or Australia.
Try the new Live Mail beta : Click here.
