Images: Changing face of Web mail

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Dec. 1997: Hotmail screenshot

Microsoft acquired Hotmail in December 1997, and got 8 million users. Here is a screenshot of Hotmail as it looked then.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:49 GMT (07:49 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
July 2005: Kahuna

Microsoft an early test version of Kahuna at a financial analysts' meeting in July 2005.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:49 GMT (07:49 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Sept 2005: Yahoo

Yahoo launched a limited U.S. beta of its improved Yahoo Mail service in September 2005. The version included features like a built-in RSS reader and the ability to tab through multiple open e-mails. It also adds many other features appearing in Windows Live Mail, such as a reading pane and drag-and-drop organization.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:49 GMT (07:49 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Nov. 2005: Hotmail today

A look at the current version of Hotmail. Microsoft announced Windows Live in November 2005, including plans to rename Hotmail as Windows Live Mail.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:49 GMT (07:49 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
April 2006: Windows Live, Outlook-style

Here is a screenshot--the April 2006 test version--of Windows Live Mail's new look with Outlook-style reading pane and other features. Microsoft demos improved Hotmail (code-named Kahuna) at a financial analysts' conference and started publicly testing its screens.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:49 GMT (07:49 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Classic mode

To address criticisms over the new Windows Live Mail, Microsoft has included in its most recent test version a "classic view" that uses new technology but looks and acts like the old Hotmail.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 14:49 GMT (07:49 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler