Revamped Outlook looking to better integrate social media
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SEATTLE -- Microsoft recently launched a new web mail service, and its familiar name may confuse some people.
The service is called Outlook, and it's eventually going to replace Hotmail, which is also owned my Microsoft. Outlook is free, has unlimited storage and is part of Microsoft's strategy to bring email, social media, pictures and Skype right to your inbox.
"Just like Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo, its a free web mail service," said Chris Jones, VP of Microsoft Windows group.
While it may have a familiar name, Jones said the new Outlook is not like the application people have been using for years. He said it's a more modern version of Hotmail, which is the world's largest free email service but has been losing market share to Google's Gmail.
To grab a new batch of users, Outlook web mail incorporates social media.
"Right from my inbox I can actually start a Facebook chat with him right here," Jones said.
Unlike the traditional Outlook, the new system allows users to link to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Linkedin directly from their email account.
"A lot of times if you are using mail you have to download those pictures and then go and view them. (Here) you can actually play a slide show right in your inbox," Jones said.
Eventually, users will even be able to launch Skype calls in Outlook web mail.
Despite having the same name, the two Outlooks are not the same. Microsoft chose the name because it's a recognizable brand, but officials say it's really an updated Hotmail, which is a brand name that will eventually disappear.
"It's a brand new product that will upgrade the Hotmail users, too," Jones said.
The service is called Outlook, and it's eventually going to replace Hotmail, which is also owned my Microsoft. Outlook is free, has unlimited storage and is part of Microsoft's strategy to bring email, social media, pictures and Skype right to your inbox.
"Just like Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo, its a free web mail service," said Chris Jones, VP of Microsoft Windows group.
While it may have a familiar name, Jones said the new Outlook is not like the application people have been using for years. He said it's a more modern version of Hotmail, which is the world's largest free email service but has been losing market share to Google's Gmail.
To grab a new batch of users, Outlook web mail incorporates social media.
"Right from my inbox I can actually start a Facebook chat with him right here," Jones said.
Unlike the traditional Outlook, the new system allows users to link to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Linkedin directly from their email account.
"A lot of times if you are using mail you have to download those pictures and then go and view them. (Here) you can actually play a slide show right in your inbox," Jones said.
Eventually, users will even be able to launch Skype calls in Outlook web mail.
Despite having the same name, the two Outlooks are not the same. Microsoft chose the name because it's a recognizable brand, but officials say it's really an updated Hotmail, which is a brand name that will eventually disappear.
"It's a brand new product that will upgrade the Hotmail users, too," Jones said.
I would had preferred a different name to prevent a confusion factor with MS's Outlook Client application. There has already been confusion with regard to Outlook Express and the full version of Outlook. Adding a web version with the same name is only going to aggravate the issue.Â
 @Anselm Yeah, but I tried it and it seems pretty cool!