14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced that its new version of Outlook.com, the company’s email service replacing the super-popular Hotmail, is now out of preview and is being enabled for all users around the world in stages.
In other words, starting today, you should be able to see the new Outlook.com and the integrated features, which include support for add-ins and access to a number of new features, plus revamped emoticons to make conversations a bit more fun.
“The new Outlook.com is built on an Office 365-based infrastructure, so you get the benefits of an email service that millions of businesses, governments and schools around the world rely on every day. In today’s digital world, the security of your personal information is vital, and this move to a new platform gives your email and calendar data, enhanced security and reliability,” Microsoft said.
Add-ins at the core of everything
In addition to improved UI, which is now cleaner and easier to use on screens of various sizes, add-ins represent the most important change in this overhauled version of Outlook.com.
The email service can now benefit from new features that are powered by third-party services, including PayPal, Evernote, Wunderlist, and others. Also starting today, GIFs are supported in Outlook.com emails with integration of Giphy, again with the help of add-ins support.
The new Outlook.com is being rolled out to users across the world gradually, so it could take a while until it becomes available on your account. Those in North America, and users creating new accounts in this region in particular, will be the first to get to see the fresh Outlook.com version, the company says. Everyone else should get their accounts upgraded in the coming weeks.
“Today’s milestone with Outlook.com is one more key step in that journey, and you can expect to see more improvements and enhancements over the coming months,” Microsoft said while also adding that some of these features are specifically implemented based on feedback from users.
