Introduction of MSNHotmail
MSNHotmail is one of the pioneers of web-based mail. And came into existence in the early nineties; In the process, it has evolved into several forms. As a free email service together with being a part of Microsoft’s family. MSNHotmail has come a long way in contributing to the changing face of communication over the Internet.
In this article, you will get to learn more about MSNHotmail the company, details. On how it has modified the face of email. And how Microsoft has transformed. from MSNHotmail to the present Outlook.com.
The Birth of the MSNHotmail
Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith developed MSNHotmail and launched its service on 4th July 1996. At that time it was unique as it provided the users free Web-based Mail Accounts for anyone to use from any computer connected to a Web browser. The news of the refocusing of the email services became more popular as opposed to the services contained with a special type of internet service provider.
Originally starting as ‘Hotmail’,
The makers employed the letters HTML to signify its use of the web’s standard computer language of HTLM. Taking advantage of its great, out-of-a-line features. And simple interface the program was able to attract millions of people within a year.
Microsoft’s Acquisition and Integration
Seeing the growth and popularity of Hotmail, Microsoft bought this service in December 1997 for about $ 400 million. Microsoft made a new strategic move by incorporating Hotmail under its MSN or Microsoft Network Identity, renaming it MSNHotmail.
After Microsoft acquired it, MSNHotmail continued to expand and became one of the giants of email services. Today, it became a part of Microsoft’s environment offering people other useful services, such as MSN Messenger and MSN Search.
The Rise of Competitors
However, MSN Hotmail suffered from new rivals. Who started to provide opportunities for using POP 3 for receiving mail. As well as for giving the users the possibility to organize inboxes, namely the users of Yahoo! Mail and Google’s Gmail. In 2004, Google launched its emailing service called Gmail, providing only 1 GB of space compared to the 2 MB offered by Hotmail. It made Microsoft re-strategise. Gmail’s innovative features and massive storage capacity attracted users away from MSNHotmail.
Rebranding to Windows Live Hotmail
MSNHotmail was renamed the Windows Live Hotmail in the year 2007 because of such rising competition. This rebranding was done under the larger umbrella of Microsoft’s Windows Live strategy which was its plan to develop a set of web services.
In the Windows Live Hotmail release
Several new features were launched among them being security, more space, new look user interface. These changes were quite positively taken, enabling Hotmail to retain its users despite the grievances that affected the service.
The Transition to Outlook. com
However, at the end of 2012, Microsoft rebranded Hotmail. And changed all the accounts to Outlook. com that effectively ceased the Hotmail service. Outlook. com has had a cleaner and more modern look, integration with MS Office, and better security measures.
This transition was not simply re-branding
But it was Microsoft’s change of strategy from decentralized to unified and cloud-based. Outlook. com incorporated all the features that people appreciated in Hotmail and included new features to the modern e-mail programs.
MSNHotmail’s Legacy
Although the identity of MSNHotmail is no longer used today, it is integrated into the present identity of Outlook.com. MSNHotmail was instrumental in bringing web-based emails to the masses and paved the way for the current generation of emails.
Some of the most common features
That are available in modern Web applications were introduced by such services as MSNHotmail. For example, spam filtering, folder organization, and mobile access. It was the first and widely embraced by many to make using email a possibility hence playing a significant role for modern communication and interaction utilizing the digital world.
Conclusion
MSNHotmail is an ideal example of how a Web-based email service has gone through a certain evolution process including its transition into Outlook. com. Although time has lost the physical form. It is hard to overstate the influence it had on the realm of email.
Reflecting on the history of MSNHotmail it is now evident. That this service was central to modern forms of communication over the World Wide Web. Outlook.com evolved from providing free mail to millions of people. MSNHotmail has come a long way and will remain a marvel in the future of Internet communication.
FAQs
What happened to my old MSNHotmail account?
If you had an MSNHotmail account, it was automatically transitioned to Outlook.com. You can still access your old emails and contacts by logging into Outlook with your Hotmail credentials.
Can I still use my Hotmail email address?
Yes, you can continue using your Hotmail email address. It functions just like any Outlook.com address.
What’s the difference between Hotmail and Outlook.com?
Outlook.com is the new version of Hotmail. It offers a more modern interface, better integration with Microsoft services, and enhanced security features.
When did Microsoft rebrand Hotmail to Outlook.com?
Microsoft rebranded Hotmail to Outlook.com in 2012 as part of a broader move towards a more unified and cloud-based email service.
Was MSNHotmail the first web-based email service?
While MSNHotmail was one of the earliest and most popular web-based email services, it was not the first. However, it significantly popularized the concept of web-based email.
