Microsoft has launched a Windows Live Hotmail Coming Soon homepage where the company offers a few details on what updates the new service will be getting with the rollout of Windows Live Wave 3. Most importantly, Microsoft makes an impressive claim for speed increases with the next release of Windows Live Hotmail:
Based on Microsoft tests performed July 2008, Hotmail showed up to 70 percent greater speed for the following transactions over broadband connections: sign in, view e-mail, open e-mail. On narrowband connections, the tests showed up to 56 percent greater speed for the same transactions.
Along with performance improvements, Microsoft is promising better spam filtering and security features, a new Windows Live 3.0 design that merges the classic and full versions of the service, and the ability to further customize your e-mail page with colors and themes. Microsoft also noted that the reading pane will allow for checking e-mail without having to open it up, typing in the "To:" line is improved by offering more closely related e-mail contacts, and e-mailing groups of people will become easier (probably thanks to integration with Windows Live Groups). As expected, there will also be integrated calendar and instant messaging features in the new version. Finally, storage will become "ever-increasing," much like what Google and Yahoo have already done. Unfortunately, there's no mention on upping the attachment size, and that's really the more important storage change that people want.
In slightly related news, the Windows Live Hotmail blog, which has been completely mute on the upcoming update to the e-mail service, has a new post that again warns users of phishing scams by naming the top five:
- Email Scam #1: Verify your account now to avoid it being closed!
- Email Scam #2: A large sum of money is due to you if you just give us your personal information.
- Email Scam #3: You won something!
- Email Scam #4: The sudden emergency!
- Email Scam #5: If you don’t forward this email, something bad will happen.
The post outlines each one, gives an example, and notes how to figure out that they are scams. This move just goes to show how much of a problem phishing is becoming for e-mail providers. Even if the malicious e-mails are marked as spam, users can still get tricked into downloading malware or sending out personal information if they end up reading and being convinced by the message inside.
Further reading:
- Windows Live Hotmail Technical Support Blog: Learn how to recognize the 5 most common types of E-mail Scams
- The WinVistaClub: Coming Soon - Windows Live Hotmail Wave 3
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