Microsoft is updating its Hotmail service to make it ready for tablets and Windows 8, at the same time emphasising that, unlike Google, it doesn’t sell information to advertisers.
The update gives all existing Hotmail users the right to update their address to either a replacement or an additional address at Outlook.com. The new interface is based on the ‘Metro’ look that Microsoft is using for Windows 8 and Windows Phone. It also integrates social networking features from services such as Facebook and will shortly add Skype calling.
Microsoft claims that the new service will make it easier to automatically filter and sort email messages, newsletters and other items.
Users can continue with Hotmail, at least for the time being. I decided to go for it and update my Hotmail account to Outlook.com. That bit was painless. I then tried the option to update the email address or choose another email address for Outlook.com by clicking the ‘Get New ID and constantly hit this message:
There’s a temporary problem with the service. Please try again. If you continue to get this message, try again later.
Ah well. Bit unusual for Microsoft to have a bug with a system, but never mind.