Outlook.com is a web-based webmail package, contacts, tasks, and calendar services from Microsoft. One of the world's first webmail services, founded in 1996 as Hotmail (distributed as HoTMaiL ) by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith in Mountain View, California, and is headquartered in Sunnyvale. Microsoft acquired Hotmail in 1997 with an estimated $ 400 million, called it MSN Hotmail , later renamed Windows Live Hotmail as part of the Windows Live product suite. Microsoft released the latest version of Hotmail in October 2011, available in 36 languages. It was replaced by Microsoft Outlook.com in 2013.
Video Outlook.com
History
Hotmail Launch
The Hotmail service was founded by Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith, and was one of the first webmail services on the Internet along with Four11's RocketMail (later Yahoo! Mail). It was launched commercially on July 4, 1996, symbolizing the "freedom" of ISP-based email and the ability to access user inboxes from anywhere in the world. The name "Hotmail" is chosen from many possibilities that end with "-mail" because it includes HTML letters, the markup language used to create web pages (to emphasize this, the original type casing is "HoTMaiL"). The limit for free storage is 2 MB. Hotmail was initially supported by venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson. In December 1997, he reported over 8.5 million subscribers. Hotmail originally runs under Solaris for mail and Apache services in FreeBSD for web services, before partially converted to Microsoft products, using Windows Services for UNIX on the migration path.
MSN Hotmail
Hotmail was sold to Microsoft in December 1997 to report $ 400 million, and joined the MSN service group. Hotmail quickly gained popularity as it is localized to different markets around the world, and became the world's largest webmail service with over 30 million active members reported in February 1999. Hotmail initially used a mixture of FreeBSD and Solaris operating systems. A project began to move Hotmail to Windows 2000. In June 2001, Microsoft claimed it had been completed; a few days later they revoked and acknowledged that the DNS functionality of the Hotmail system was still dependent on FreeBSD. In 2002, Hotmail was still running its infrastructure on UNIX servers, with only front-ends converted to Windows 2000. Subsequent developments saw services bound by Microsoft's web authentication scheme, Microsoft Passport (now Microsoft accounts), and integration with instant messaging and social Microsoft networking programs, MSN Messenger and MSN Spaces (later Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces, respectively).
Security issues
In 1999, hackers revealed a security hole in Hotmail that allowed anyone to sign in to any Hotmail account using the 'eh' password. It was then called "the most extensive security incident in Web history". In 2001, Hotmail services were compromised again by computer hackers who found that anyone can sign in to their Hotmail account and then pull messages from other Hotmail accounts by creating a URL with a second account's username and a valid message number. It was a simple attack that at the time the patch was made, dozens of newspapers and hundreds of web sites published the exact description that allowed tens of thousands of hackers rampant across Hotmail. Exploited vulnerabilities sparked millions of accounts for damage between August 7, 2001 and August 31, 2001.
Competition
In 2004, Google announced its own email service, Gmail. Featuring greater storage space, speed, and interface flexibility, these new competitors are spurring a wave of innovation in webmail. Major heavyweight industries - Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail - introduces an enhanced version of their email service with greater speed, security, and advanced features.
Windows Live Hotmail
Microsoft's new email system was announced on November 1, 2005, with the codename "Kahuna", and the beta version was released to several thousand testers. Other web letter enthusiasts who also want to try the beta version may request an invitation to grant access. The new service is built from scratch and emphasizes three key concepts to be "faster, simpler, and more secure". A new version of the beta service was launched during the development period, and by the end of 2006 the number of beta testers has reached millions.
The Hotmail brand is planned to be phased out when Microsoft announces that a new email system will be called Windows Live Mail, but developers are retreating immediately after beta testers are confused by the name change and prefer the famous Hotmail name and decide on Windows Live Hotmail. After the beta testing period, it was officially released to new and existing users in the Netherlands on November 9, 2006, as a pilot market. The beta development was completed in April 2007, Windows Live Hotmail was released to new registrations on May 7, 2007, as 260 million MSN Hotmail accounts worldwide gained access to the new system. The old MSN Hotmail interface can only be accessed by registered users before the Windows Live Hotmail release date and does not choose to update to the new service. Roll-out for all existing users completed in October 2007.
Windows Live Hotmail was awarded the Editorial Picks PC Magazine ' in February 2007, March 2007, and February 2011.
In 2008 it was announced that the service will be updated with a focus on speed improvement, improved storage space, better user experience and usability features, and that access and email access speed will be 70 percent faster. The classic and full version of Windows Live Hotmail is incorporated in the new release. As a result of user feedback, Hotmail has been updated so that the scroll works for users who have the reading pane turned off. It is also expected that the Hotmail team will move ads from the top of the page to the side, add more themes, increase the number of messages on each page and add the ability to send instant messages from the user's inbox in future releases.
Support for Firefox in the updated Windows Live Hotmail takes several months to complete. In 2009, support for Google Chrome was still incomplete, prompting Chrome developers to send in temporary browsers using spoofing user agents when making requests to Windows Live sites.
As part of the update, Microsoft also added integrated capabilities for instant messaging with contacts on the Windows Live Messenger service. This feature is the realization of a project that started as "Windows Live Web Messenger" in 2007, a replacement for the outdated "MSN Web Messenger" service that was first introduced in August 2004. It has been noted that the original "Windows Live Web Messenger" displaying a tab conversation in "conversation workspace", but because of its integration with Hotmail it has been removed.
The Microsoft Bing search engine was integrated into Hotmail in 2009 through the introduction of the "Quick Add" feature, which allowed users to add search results from Bing to email. These include images, maps, and business listings.
On May 18, 2010, Microsoft launched the Hotmail "Wave 4" update, which offers features like 1-click filters, active viewing, inbox tapping, and 10 GB space for photos, Microsoft Office documents, and attachments. It also includes integration with Windows Live SkyDrive and Windows Live Office, a free version of Microsoft Office Web Apps applications. The new version starts a staged release for all Hotmail users on June 15, 2010 and is fully launched on August 3, 2010. Exchange ActiveSync support is enabled for all Hotmail users on August 30, 2010, allowing users to sync their emails, contacts, calendars and tasks to their mobile device which supports the protocol. The full SSL session addition was released on November 9, 2010.
Throughout 2011, Microsoft added some new features to Hotmail, such as aliases and speed improvements. In October 2011, Microsoft launched "Reborn Hotmail", and added many new features like Instant Actions, Scheduled Sweeps, and Categories and this update began to launch completely on November 9, 2011. This update also makes SSL enabled by default at all account.
Transition to Outlook.com
Outlook.com was first introduced on July 31, 2012 when its beta version is available to the general public. Existing Hotmail customers can freely upgrade to the Outlook.com preview version and downgrade again.
Outlook.com completed the preview stage on February 18, 2013. According to Microsoft, the increase was made on April 3, 2013; users keep their existing Hotmail account and receive the option of having an email address @ outlook.com. As of May 2013, Outlook.com has 400 million active users. As of May 2014, Outlook.com continues to have 400 million active users.
Transition to new infrastructure
In May 2015, Microsoft announced it would move the service into what is described as an Office 365-based infrastructure. It was followed in June 2015 by introduction through an opt-in preview of new features, including new calendar layout options, a filtering service called "Clutter" and new theme design. Microsoft also introduced the ability for third-party providers such as PayPal and Evernote to include additional services. Additionally, contact suggestions and email updates such as flight reservations will be introduced to Office 365 customer accounts and Outlook.com users respectively from January and March 2016. With the upgrade, users will no longer be able to use Windows Live Mail 2012 clients to sync mail, contacts, and events of their calendars using the official settings; they are encouraged to view Outlook.com through a web browser, via the Mail app, or through a Microsoft Outlook client. However, Windows Live Mail can be configured to use the less effective IMAP (or POP3) protocol to retrieve mail only. Microsoft concluded this preview stage in February 2016, when it began launching new versions to user accounts, beginning with North America.
2017 redesign
On August 8, 2017, Microsoft launched a new opt-in switch that allowed users to test future changes to Outlook.com Mail, including faster inboxes, responsive designs, and the ability to search emoji. There is also the introduction of Photo Hub, the 5th component of Outlook.com
On October 30, 2017, Microsoft announced that it would suspend the "Outlook.com Premium" subscription service, which offers features such as expanded storage and removal of ads from the user interface. These benefits are then available to Office 365 customers, and Microsoft will no longer accept new subscriptions to Outlook.com Premium. Existing Outlook.com Premium customers can continue to update their existing subscriptions.
The old interface, dating from 2016, will be deleted in mid-February 2018.
Maps Outlook.com
Features
Similar to other large webmail services, Outlook.com uses Ajax programming techniques and supports versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome. Some features include keyboard controls that provide the ability to navigate around the page without using the mouse, the ability to search for user messages including structured query syntax such as "from: ebay", message filters, folder-based organization messages, auto-completion of contact addresses when composing, grouping contacts, import and export contacts as CSV files, rich text formatting, rich text signatures, spam filtering and virus scanning, multiple address support, and different language versions.
One example of a feature that no longer exists is the ability to create a custom domain name.
Security and privacy
Outlook.com has promised to respect the privacy of users, especially those targeting Gmail's privacy practices. Outlook.com does not scan emails or attachments for ad-free and fully ad-free private ad information.
In March 2014, when former Microsoft employee Alex Kibkalo was arrested for involvement in 2012 by divulging Microsoft's trade secrets, Microsoft has been criticized for accessing email inboxes from its French counterparts. Critics claim this action violates privacy laws and Microsoft's own promises regarding the user's personal information, while others have indicated that such access is permitted under Microsoft's privacy policy to "protect Microsoft's rights or property", that it is necessary to prevent crimes that meant to have resulted in billions of dollars in damage, and such actions on Microsoft's side had been unprecedented in 18 years. In response to these criticisms, Microsoft has announced that it will no longer access personal account information itself in such cases, but instead submits investigations to law enforcement agencies.
Outlook.com uses the DMARC specification to provide better security for message transmission and Extended Validation Certificates to secure user connections with Outlook.com. On April 17, 2013, Microsoft added a two-step verification to a Microsoft account, so with the extension to Outlook.com.
Outlook also allows disposable code to be used instead of a user's password when logged in to a Microsoft account. Each code can only be used once, but one can be requested whenever required. If a user signs in on a public computer - like in a library or school - using a single-use code helps keep the account information secure. Disposable code sent to user when requested at login.
Active View
Outlook.com Active View allows users to interact directly with content and functionality in their email messages. For example, all photo attachments can be previewed directly using Active View. In addition, Outlook.com provides partner platforms that enable content and functionality from various websites and services such as YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and the United States Postal Service to be viewed directly in email messages. For example, a user can view YouTube videos in Outlook.com when a user receives an email containing a link to the video. Other Active View features include real time delivery status tracking of the United States Postal Service and performing social networking actions on LinkedIn or other social networking sites directly from within email messages.
Calendar
The Outlook time-management web app was first launched on January 14, 2008 as Windows Live Calendar, and has been updated to the "Wave 4" release on June 7, 2010. It's updated with Microsoft Metro design in staged rollout to users starting April 2, 2013.
Calendar has an interface similar to desktop calendar apps like Windows Calendar, and supports iCalendar files for users to import calendar entries into their calendars. It uses Ajax technology that allows users to view, add, and drag-and-drop calendar events from one date to another without reloading the page, and features daily, weekly, monthly and on-screen display modes. It also features a to-do list function for users to keep track of their tasks to complete.
Calendar events are stored online and viewable from any location. Multiple calendars can be created and shared, allowing different levels of permissions for each user.
People
The Outlook contact management service was originally known as Windows Live Contacts and earlier, Windows Live People. It provides users with access to their profiles and contact information, enabling them to share different information with different groups of people. In addition to address books, People also provide integrated services with social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. The service was renamed to current in 2012, introducing a new interface based on the Metro design language already introduced with Outlook.com.
Contacts are updated automatically in real time, and this service allows removal of duplicated contact entries when imported with Profile. Users can also set limits on what parts of their contact details are visible to others.
Task
Tasks is a task management component of Outlook.com that was introduced during the transition to an Office 365-based infrastructure.
Office Online integration
Outlook.com integrates with Office Online to allow viewing and editing of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents attached to email messages. Users can directly open Office documents attached in a web browser, and save them into their OneDrive. Users can also make edits to every Office document they receive, and reply directly to the sender with the edited version of the document. In addition, users can also send up to 25 GB of Office documents (up to 50 MB each) using Outlook.com by uploading these documents to OneDrive, and sharing this document with other users for viewing or collaborating. Users can also save emails to OneNote.
Skype integration
Skype preview versions for Outlook.com start launching in the UK on April 30, 2013. This feature allows users to make Skype video calls in Outlook.com without using a Skype desktop client.
Sweep
Outlook.com offers a "virtual broom" that allows users to delete or move large amounts of email into specific folders based on the sender's information. After "sweeping" is done, the user can choose to configure Outlook.com to remember the sweeping settings and perform the same steps or delete the action for the next email. Users can also set custom message rules based on sender or recipient information, email subject, or attachment to email. There is also an option to delete/move messages older than the specified number of days, or just keep the latest messages from the sender.
Quick view and one-click filters
Quick view lets users filter all mail (in all folders) with attachments of documents, photo attachments, flag messages, or delivery updates. A one-click filter allows users to filter inboxes (or specific folders) based on whether the email message has not been read, from the People's services list, group mailing lists, or from social networking websites. Categories appear under the quick view for easy access.
Aliases â € <â € <
Users can create additional, unique email addresses, called alias , for their Microsoft accounts. Starting April 17, 2013, users can now sign in with any aliases and create up to 10 aliases per year for a total of up to 10 addresses. For certain accounts, all aliases use the same inbox, contact list, and account settings - including passwords - as the primary address. After an alias is set, the user can choose to send all mail sent to that address to the inbox, or to another folder. Emails sent from aliases do not disclose to recipients that they are from an account with another address.
Mobile app
Microsoft has released a client app for Android and iOS, allowing users to access their inbox and send new messages. This app was previously known as Accompli, which was acquired by Microsoft in December 2014, and renamed Outlook Mobile in January 2015.
Access email client
Outlook.com supports email clients connected through the following protocols, listed in chronological order:
- WebDAV is used by Outlook Express but discontinued on September 1, 2009.
- The Microsoft Outlook 2002 introduced in Microsoft Office XP includes integrated support for Outlook.com accounts.
- DeltaSync is used by Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector, a free plug-in for Microsoft Outlook 2003, 2007 or 2010. Using the Outlook connector, users can freely access email messages, contacts and calendars in any Outlook.com account, though access to tasks and records requires a premium subscription. Another alternative for users is to use the Windows Live Mail desktop client, which has built-in support for Hotmail.
- Access Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) is available for all Hotmail accounts as part of the "Wave 3" release, adding support for accessing Hotmail from all email clients that support this protocol.
- Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) support is added as part of Hotmail's "Wave 4" release, enabling users to sync not just their email, but also their contacts and calendars on any device that supports EAS.
- On September 12, 2013, Microsoft added support for the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) and OAuth.
Controversy
Popularity with spammers
Like many free webmail services, Hotmail is often used by spammers for illegal purposes such as junk or unwanted mail and marketing chains, due to the wide availability, popularity of the service, and the ease of registering for new accounts. Hotmail changes its service agreement stating that any account involved in this activity will be terminated without warning.
Request for contact details
The ability to associate an Outlook.com account with a phone or other email address was originally advertised as an optional feature. However, the update in 2013 requires many users to associate their accounts before the website allows them to sign in - rejection that can be overridden by using apps, such as Windows Live Mail 2011 or 2012, to access accounts instead of web browsers (and it is still possible to "associate" a single-use account, or otherwise 'disposable', e-mail address). Some users also see a message that their account will expire if they continue to use it anonymously.
US government oversight
According to theguardian.com , several internal secret National Security Agency (NSA) newsletters indicate that Microsoft has allowed the NSA to access chats and emails on Outlook.com, and to apply the encrypted bypass advertised in to facilitate government access.
In response to the report, Microsoft stated, among other things, that "when we update or update products, we are not exempt from the need to comply with existing or future lawsuits" and that "there are aspects of this debate that we expect. can discuss more freely ".
See also
- Webmail provider comparison
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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