Having replaced Hotmail with its new email service Outlook, the top honchos at software giant Microsoft would be pleased as punch, if the reaction of the city’s youth is followed everywhere. While most people this newspaper spoke to on Wednesday seemed quite impressed with the change-over, some old fans feel a little let down at the decision to discontinue Hotmail. An update from Microsoft said about one million have already signed up for Outlook, and that Hotmail users would be moved to the new service with time.
The company has made several new incorporations into the new service, adding social media interaction, junk mail detection and segregation options for newsletters, social media updates and email. The social media integration and the clean interface seem to have caught the fancy of the youth. The absence of advertisements, which lends the clean look, is also being appreciated, though ads might come up in future since this is only a preview.
Abhinav Das, a city-based computer security expert, said, “Outlook must be Microsoft’s attempt to distance itself from Hotmail’s bad rap. It looks elegant, neat and without those disturbing banners and video ads. Besides, there are no targeted ads, at least not yet.” New users also found it a good change. City-based entrepreneur Ranvir Banerjee said, “I like the idea of accessing Facebook contacts and chat on my mailbox. The meetings option, too, is a brilliant addition.”
But some staunch fans sounded disappointed that Hotmail, started by an Indian, Sabeer Bhatia, is being discontinued. “I have been on Hotmail for more than five years, and it would have been better had Microsoft improved the service by plugging the holes. But to close it down completely is absurd. I will miss Hotmail,” said engineering student Mayuukh Vashney.