Microsoft is retiring a brand that has been with it since 1997 - free web-based email service Hotmail - and folding it in under the familiar name 'Outlook'.
Hotmail was one of the earliest popular web mail services, but in its time it has had to face off competition from Yahoo, AOL, and, of course, Google's Gmail. What this looks like is an attempt to consolidate its consumer and workplace brands - Hotmail was once an all powerful force on the web, and while there are still many active users, Redmond is aiming for the simplistic approach in Windows 8 and will want to bring both brands in under one name.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft's stated goal is to bring in a product refresh for a brand that hasn't seen change in years. Redmond wants to tie it in closer to other Microsoft services - a la the Google and Apple models - thereby introducing a central point for contacts, email, and non-Microsoft services like Facebook and Twitter.
The Outlook.com update features an address book that brings in contacts from third party services such as Gmail, Facebook, and LinkedIn. As with Google, Microsoft plans to include a cloud storage service which will tie in with Outlook.com.
As the WSJ points out, Microsoft appears to have taken a direct shot at Google - promising that it wouldn't show ads that fit with email content that the company has previously called "creepy".
Clearly riding the coattails of the privacy concerns surrounding Google and other web services, it said "we think privacy matters".
Hotmail will still work for now, but users will be given the option to transfer to Outlook.com, keeping their current usernames. Email sent to Hotmail accounts will be automatically forwarded to Outlook.com. Eventually, Microsoft wants to move all Hotmail users to the 'new' service.
It all looks like an effort to push a unified, simplified feel for Windows 8 and the Metro interface, going along with the consumerisation of IT trend.
Being finite or infinte is all about materialism because that which is not of the material is infinite, infinity, in simplistic term, being devoid of some physical barrier. This is why The Emotional and The Intellectual have no [physical] limits and is the reason why these physically unlimited realms are diametric opposites otherwise a human will realised his insanity much quicker in his life, the only duty of an insanity being to obstruct its sanity and nothing else. Insanities like addictions, minor or major. If true, all humans, oka A Part of The Whole, are somewhat insane with most being insane about Ownership Issues like Fame, Fortune & Immortality.
If the above is true, what else would anyone expect from “A President” or “A Prime Minister” let alone Parents & Guardians? That, then, is insanity – to expect a gift of The Material to be infinite, gifts like “Hotmail”. Addictions and addicts like pimps will only find its whore useful when she is still able to pull-in the Johns otherwise, the other Sheila will do. And this is the truth which every John should be aware of, not that any John cares otherwise he won’t be using the whore willy-nilly. Aha, but eets useful until then, ain’t eet? Ever heard of “Data-Mining” and other justifications? Why would any entity, whose insanity is to infinitise, offer anything for free?
As such, addiction is about enslavement and little else. Just look at those in government for starters. Seen any real human yet? You know, those who profess infinity but are otherwise extremely finite. Everyone of ‘em. Be aware too that those who are of infinity are never into Religion & Religiosity, let alone other Tentacles of The Bookie – those who neither deny nor accept Fame, Fortune & Immortality as the be-all, end-all, FF&I being there to mark-out and destroy those who are finite/destructible. Like users of “Hotmail”. Welcome to “Outlook”. See all the goodies we have waiting for you, you gullible thang you. Free emails are only of use should your IP address be variable otherwise, you’ll be ready for the roasting when it arrives. And it will arrive, come Hell or Highwater. Yes, the little devils feverishly working fur Zer Bigge Vun - The Jester, who smells of putrefaction - perhaps He needs some Coca Channell for His Outlook.