While the latest update of Windows Live Mail is reached its seem to be final milestone, M9, the final name of the service is announced. It will become “Windows Live Hotmail”.
When we launch the mail service worldwide, it will be named Windows Live Hotmail. That’s right! And for starters, some of you will begin to see the Windows Live Hotmail brand show up in the beta – first in our Microsoft internal version (dogfood) and eventually in the public version in the coming weeks.
It was the days before that the team said ‘Hotmail is no more, we’re going to be solely Live Mail”. Live Mail is official name from the beginning not likely to be a codename, even sometimes we have seen the name changed to be “Office Live Mail”. What is the reason behind name change? Richard Sim, Senior Product Manager gives this answer.
We also found that many users were extremely loyal to the Hotmail brand and perceived the beta as an upgrade to Hotmail. In fact, our most loyal users have been very happy with Hotmail for years and while they loved the improvements in the beta, some were a bit confused by name change.
Continues with:
As we prepare to launch the final version of our new web mail service, we recognize the importance of ensuring that our 260+ million existing customers come over to the new service smoothly and without confusion. By adopting the name “Windows Live Hotmail”, we believe we’re bringing together the best of both worlds – new and old. We’re able to offer the great new technology that Windows Live has to offer while also bringing the emotional connection many existing and loyal users have with Hotmail.
The old topic debate already begin at Live Mail blog, mostly they prefer and refer to “Live Mail” as opinion of early adopter. Well, we will hear more from blogger. While Sim referring to the feedback, what we don’t know is amount of ordinary user’s opinion.
At this point, I see that the name is the name. It can be whether Live Mail or Live Hotmail but it should focus on user friendly interface, ease of user and performance to reduce the pain of transition of those loyal Hotmail user. Oh, I forget, Windows Live Hotmail is more to be an ugly name.
