What can you use the application for?
Windows Live Hotmail offers online email hosted at Microsoft servers. Online email means you never have to worry about storing your email and that you can log in from any PC.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
Hotmail was a pioneer in online email, launched on American Independence Day in 1996. The name Hotmail comes from HTML email, HTML is the language for webpages. It was an instant hit and Hotmail was purchased by Microsoft for 400 million dollar at the end of 1997. Since then it has grown to more than 300 million users and was renamed to Windows Live Hotmail in 2007.
What are the differences to other applications?
Windows Live Hotmail is not very different from Yahoo Mail or Gmail. The interface which looks like Microsoft Office Outlook may be the biggest difference from the other contestants in this market.
How does the application look and feel to use?
Windows Live Hotmail has a familiar interface with nice looks and simple buttons. You feel like you are using a desktop application with a rich user experience. And Microsoft managed to keep the performance quick and snappy.
How does the registration process work?
Registration requires your birth year but not your birth date. Other than that it asks the s.tandard questions. After sign up you can select the version, the full one gives you the most Outlook like user experience.
What does it cost to use the application?
Windows Live Hotmail's storage space has grown considerably from the 2MB it once was to 5GB nowadays. Banner ads are shown on each page which sometimes slows the loading of the webpage.
Who would you recommend the application to?
We recommend this service for current Hotmail users and people who like Outlook and don't want to learn a new way of doing things. Windows Live Hotmail is easy to use, looks nice and has all the features.
