Windows Live Hotmail wave 3 rollout begins

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As we reported on last week, Microsoft has been prepping a big refresh for Windows Live Hotmail users. Starting this week, users should begin noticing changes to their interface. Due to the huge user base and multiple servers that power Hotmail, not all users will get the new interface at once.

Over on the Windows Live Wire, Microsoft has further outlined some of those changes. Along with an improved look, one that merges some of the fast loading features of the "classic" interface along with the enhanced features of the last version, Microsoft claims that the new interface is up to 70% faster than the previous version.

Live Calendar has also been improved, including enhanced calendar sharing and iCal subscriptions to public calendars. Calendar also now syncs with the Windows Live Mail beta and Microsoft Outlook when using the Outlook Connector addin. Also included are to-do lists that allow you to manage both personal and shared tasks between contacts.

Screenshot: Windows Live Hotmail, wave 3

(1 reply) #1 Sam on 30 Sep 2008 - 19:42

I was going to comment on the lack of a title, but I couldn't, as there was no title :p

#1.1 Marshalus on 30 Sep 2008 - 19:47

(Sam said @ #1)

Yeah, not sure what happened, must have been a blip in the CMS because I put one in, previewed the story to make some edits, then when I posted it wasn't there. Had to go find the ID of the story, replace the ID in the edit address of another page so I could open it up and fix it.

#2 ContendeR on 30 Sep 2008 - 19:49

When if ever will they give us tagging like Gmail and Zenbe?

(1 reply) #3 MMaster23 on 30 Sep 2008 - 20:08

Anyone know the server addresses yet? Usually you can reach the new version by using other server than Hotmail gives you.

I'm using by117w.bay117.mail.live.com .. still the old one.

#3.1 stifler6478 on 30 Sep 2008 - 20:29

I'm on bay135 and it's still the old one too.

-Spenser

(2 replies) #4 Skyfrog on 30 Sep 2008 - 21:04

I should know this by now but what does wave mean? Beta, pre-beta, RC...I've never seen any other software releases use the term wave before.

Edit: I guess no one else knows either, or they don't want to tell me.

Last edited by Skyfrog on 01 Oct 2008 - 01:15

#4.1 Marshalus on 01 Oct 2008 - 01:43

(Skyfrog said @ #4)

Wave 3 is like generation 3 of the Live services suite.

#4.2 Skyfrog on 01 Oct 2008 - 03:02

Thanks, thought that might be what it meant but wasn't sure.

#5 zape on 30 Sep 2008 - 21:05

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=675692

(1 reply) #6 noPCtoday on 30 Sep 2008 - 21:05

live mail ad on the top is pretty annoying, good thing AdBlock + Element Block can block that...

#6.1 Roger2 on 01 Oct 2008 - 14:21

To remove the ads in IE7 use IE7Pro and remove "live.com" from the adblocker whitelist.

(6 replies) #7 Kreuger on 30 Sep 2008 - 21:09

They really need to work on Firefox support. I'm sick of the "you should upgrade your browser" messages.

#7.1 MMaster23 on 30 Sep 2008 - 21:41

(Kreuger said @ #7)

You know they supported Firefox with the current version huh?
FF support has been around for more than a year now.

#7.2 Kreuger on 30 Sep 2008 - 21:53

(MMaster23 said @ #7.1)

Yeah supposedly but they still always complain about it being incompatible. It worked for a time now it says I need to upgrade again

#7.3 hewitt s. on 30 Sep 2008 - 22:05

Firefox works perfectly fine with Hotmail. I use FF exclusively, and I log into Hotmail all the time. I always get the "full" version and everything works correctly and everything is displayed properally. Are you using FF 3? I believe there are still some issues using FF 2.

#7.4 Kreuger on 30 Sep 2008 - 22:36

(hewitt s. said @ #7.3)

Yep. 3.0.3. It's been like this since at least 3.0.1.

#7.5 zape on 01 Oct 2008 - 00:31

He means in Linux distros it doesnt work

#7.6 PsykX on 01 Oct 2008 - 03:38

The same goes for Safari... It tells me to upgrade to IE7 if I have Safari or FF... more like a DOWNgrade to me. I can't be more annoyed by these kind of messages.

#8 hewitt s. on 30 Sep 2008 - 22:11

I have two Hotmail accounts and neither have been updated. One uses bay108 and the other uses bay126. I am using the new Calendar beta with one of my accounts, and that has the new interface.

#9 xiphi on 30 Sep 2008 - 22:17

Mine uses bay103, and I'm still waiting for the new update.

#10 PsykX on 01 Oct 2008 - 03:37

It was about time it looked like Outlook :|
Finally I will like consulting my email via HTTP... but POP would be great for my iPod Touch.

#11 excalpius on 01 Oct 2008 - 03:44

Just want I always wanted for my "free email account only used to catch spam"...automatic preview. NOT!

#12 Cpugeni Ω on 01 Oct 2008 - 09:09

I hope we can change the colours, that screenshot is bland - and the persons emails are typical of Microsoft - "Meet baby Kevin" and "RE: I had a wonderful time", ha, errrrm...

PsykX I can never see Hotmail being accesible via POP - Are you sure you cant access Hotmail via your iPod?

#13 predator001 on 01 Oct 2008 - 14:37

hope its a bit smoother with opera. when i click it tends to highlight all the text on the left side menu and in the emails themselves. or if i'm writing an email it'll strip all the formatting out when it sends. minor issues but good to get them ironed out.

#14 kb1 on 02 Oct 2008 - 15:44

I have three Hotmail accounts:

co102w.col102.mail.live.com <- Updated
co107w.col107.mail.live.com <- Not updated
by121w.bay121.mail.live.com <- Not updated

I really like the new interface. Can't wait for all my accounts to switch over.

#15 azuranz on 03 Oct 2008 - 20:01

ffs still on the old version

#16 techaven on 13 Oct 2008 - 10:45

Still the old one!

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