Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced today that it is converting its long-time Hotmail web email to another long-time Microsoft brand: Outlook. The new brand, outlook.com, will tie the company’s industry-leading office Microsoft Office software suite and its Outlook professional mail program. The newly named program will still be free.
The intent of the change appears to be to bring a heavier gun to bear on Google Mail, the free web-based mail program from Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and similar email services from both Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO). Microsoft acquired Hotmail, the first web email application, in 1998 for about $400 million, and the service has about 350 million active users today.
As Microsoft moves more toward the modern cloud-based model with the coming release of its Windows 8 operating system, the company will offer its Office suite of products under another new name — Office 365 — which will be available for a subscription fee in an online version. A full version of the Outlook mail program is expected to be part of Office 365.
The new outlook.com mail program is available in a preview edition today.
Paul Ausick
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
