The Windows 10 Mail app is once again the testing ground for controversial new features, and this time the app is showing ads. As spotted by Aggiornamenti Lumia, the advertisements are only showing up for some users, and they're only there for those that don't subscribe to Office 365.
Another controversial feature that we've seen tested in Mail & Calendar was forcing users to open links from their email in the Edge browser despite their default browser settings. This was later removed before it ever made it to production. We've also seen ads for Office 365.
The news comes as Microsoft continues to find new ways of monetizing Windows 10. We've seen games like Microsoft Solitaire Collection go freemium, while Solitaire used to be a staple of the OS, and we've seen ads pop up in the Start Menu and more.
According to the report, the ads in Mail show up inline, in the Other section, so apparently they won't be in the Focused Inbox. You'll see the ads whether you're using a Microsoft email account, or something else, and users will be prompted to purchase Office 365 to remove the ads.
Of course, the feature is in testing, and there's no telling whether or not it will make it to production. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment.
Update: Microsoft's Frank X Shaw has confirmed via Twitter that this wasn't a feature that was meant to be pushed broadly, and it is being turned off.
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