Images: Changing face of Web mail

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

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.

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

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.

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.