14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is yet again exercising its sense of humor. This time with the general availability of the company's upgrade to MSN Hotmail, Windows Live Mail. On May 6, 2007, Microsoft celebrated the world wide launch of Windows Live Hotmail. "We're thrilled to deliver Windows Live Hotmail to the more than 280 million active MSN Hotmail accounts around the world," said Steve Berkowitz, senior vice president of the Online Services Group at Microsoft.
As I have shown you in the past, Microsoft has a great sense of humor when it comes to marketing its products and services. And after the Microsoft 2007 Office System now it is the turn of Windows Live Hotmail. Richard Sim, Microsoft Senior Product Manager revealed that the launch of Windows Live Hotmail was accompanied by what he referred to as very cool videos.
"Hot off the press! We've just released a set of Windows Live Hotmail launch videos that are pretty hilarious. I think my favorites are the "Suspicious Male" video, which was so subtle that I missed it the first few times I saw it, and the "Preview Pane" video," Sim said.
As I was browsing user comments, I came across an opinion that Microsoft is copying Apple's Get a Mac video ads with such initiatives. Well, I am truly sorry, as I am well aware of Apple's capacity of reinventing the wheel - the iPod digital media player and the iPhone are excellent examples in this regard -, the Cupertino-based company did not invent irony or video ads.
Moreover, users can easily see that Apple needs the PC Guy; without a third party, the Get a Mac ads would be nothing. Microsoft's irony is instead directed at... Microsoft. The Redmond Company does not need another reference or comparison point. These being said, enjoy the Windows Live Hotmail launching videos.