[wildphantom!]

Today, Microsoft have overhauled their email client 'Hotmail' to Outlook.com and have finally set it sights on Gmail.

The interface is clean, simple and much much better than the old hotmail web interface. Again this is Microsoft moving to the Windows 8 typeface bringing a consistency to all of its services giving the feel of an integrated ecosystem.

It also has a 'People Hub' those familiar with Windows Phone know what this entails but this is basically were all information from your contacts lives with added information such as full name, company ect, you can also link your Outlook.com account with various social media services like Facebook, Twitter, Google, Flicker, and LinkedIn. For example on Facebook you can post on their wall, send a Facebook message, or chat in an instant message-like format without leaving Outlook. You can also Tweet via Outlook and view incoming Tweets in the Hub.

You can dump your Hotmail email to Outlook.com or you can create an alias by: Settings>More Mail Settings>Create and Outlook Alias or Rename.

SkyDrive is still here but has not been updated but is due 'latter in the summer' and Microsoft plan to integrate Skype into Outlook later in the year.

[The Rat]

Well its interesting. I'm not fond of the Metro styling, that said I'm not a fan of the old gradients and colour scheme. Using new metro styling for the Mail and Peoples hub with the old Hotmail styling for calendar and SkyDrive is a nice hybrid testament to Windows 8

I see the IE9 jumplist is still broken.

Dave

[wildphantom!]

Originally Posted by The Rat

Using new metro styling for the Mail and Peoples hub with the old Hotmail styling for calendar and SkyDrive is a nice hybrid testament to Windows 8

It's called Outlook 'preview' until Hotmail is fully phased out so I'm sure they're ironing out bugs and adding content in the coming months such as updates to SkyDrive and Skype.

This is not the fully finished version, and it seems to be getting a good buzz on tech sites.

[psionic]

Had to update the POP and SMTP settings on my main mail client to reflect the new outlook.com as expected. All works as expected

[Sad_BB_Addict]

A review so positive it's suspicious
http://gizmodo.com/5930358/microsoft...l-is-fantastic
It does look good though.

[kyussmondo]

From someone who likes all things Apple, I really like the stuff that Microsoft is doing recently with things like Skydrive. I'm hoping they can give Google some more competition.

[hammo]

Im using Outlook now for sending emails but if I take up their offer of changing my email address will me old one still be useable or will I have to change and start using the new OUTLOOK one

[psionic]

Originally Posted by hammo

Im using Outlook now for sending emails but if I take up their offer of changing my email address will me old one still be useable or will I have to change and start using the new OUTLOOK one

You'll still receive everything for your old address, and there is a setting on the website which determines which address you send as by default (i think). Also you can set the 'reply to' address on there.

[The Rat]

Originally Posted by wildphantom!

It's called Outlook 'preview' until Hotmail is fully phased out so I'm sure they're ironing out bugs and adding content in the coming months such as updates to SkyDrive and Skype.

This is not the fully finished version, and it seems to be getting a good buzz on tech sites.

I know, I was having a little dig at Windows 8, hence my wink

Dave

[noise747]

Looks the same just with some different icons and colours. seems a bit slower to update.

i don't use it that much these days, the only reason I got a Hotmail address in the first place because I thought I needed it to use their messager service. something else i don't use that often these days.


They are all trying to make their email services something else, with gimmicks that are not required for email. Even the company I got my domain and main email service with seems to what to add stuff to it I don't need or require which makes their webmail and control panel slow and unresponsive.


Glad I don't use webmail that often.

[DotNetWill]

WooHoo no auto migrations of name. I can ditch my longer hotmail and have a short one

[JSemple3]

Doesn't seem to be working using waterfox (firefox 64 bit alternative) unless i'm mistaken?

[noise747]

Originally Posted by JSemple3

Doesn't seem to be working using waterfox (firefox 64 bit alternative) unless i'm mistaken?

Seems like you need to use Internet Exploder 9 to get all the features, so I changed back to normal Hotmail.

[scruffpot]

Bye Bye hotmail i knew thee well since 1996. I had my first address in october, its still being used today..

I hope the new outlook does not get squeezed in the sides by the adverts.

I permanently rely on web based mail instead of using a client (Thunderbird, outlook etc), even at home.I flit between different offices, different venues, use different computers etc, its probably a lot securer as other people use those computers as well, and I may not use that exact terminal again. just simple log on and off

[JSemple3]

Originally Posted by noise747

Seems like you need to use Internet Exploder 9 to get all the features, so I changed back to normal Hotmail.

Tried it with 1 of my accounts and none of the messages we're loading. Guess i'll switch back for now.

[late8]

Originally Posted by kyussmondo

From someone who likes all things Apple, I really like the stuff that Microsoft is doing recently with things like Skydrive. I'm hoping they can give Google some more competition.

Sky drive is a secret success for MS. I love it.. Just simple.

[noise747]

Originally Posted by JSemple3

Tried it with 1 of my accounts and none of the messages we're loading. Guess i'll switch back for now.

Messages loaded fine, but unless you use IE, then there is no advantage, just confusing icons with no name to tell you what they do.

Originally Posted by late8

Sky drive is a secret success for MS. I love it.. Just simple.

I use dropbox for the few things I put online. I have got a sky drive account, but i got nothing in it.

I am one of these people who still prefer to have my documents backup off line.

[pixel_pixel]

Just signed up to one. Wont use it, but wanted to claim my name without having to add loads of numbers in the end!

[Sad_BB_Addict]

Grauniad article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...mail-lost-cool

[TheBigM]

Originally Posted by pixel_pixel

Just signed up to one. Wont use it, but wanted to claim my name without having to add loads of numbers in the end!

What's the point of claiming your name if you aren't going to use it?

[pixel_pixel]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

What's the point of claiming your name if you aren't going to use it?

Possible future use!
You never know

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

What's the point of claiming your name if you aren't going to use it?

I've done the same thing myself. Nothing as unprofessional as having your birth date at the end of an email address!

[pixel_pixel]

Originally Posted by whoever,hey

I've done the same thing myself. Nothing as unprofessional as having your birth date at the end of an email address!

Where I work we get sent CV's. There is nothing more off putting than an email address such as xx_sexy_legs_xx. Or as you say DoB, fluffykins etc.

I was once told that domain names were being bought up at tens of thousands per week. Eventually there will be no decent ones left.

[The Rat]

No outlook.co.uk addresses by the looks of it as the domain is already taken.

Dave

[subversive]

too late, my name is taken...

microsoft look desperate, first live, and now outlook, where ever did the bing.com email addresses go???