PR releases

O2 is the first UK operator to launch Windows Live Mail on its WAP portal

O2 today announces it has partnered with Microsoft to be the first operator in the UK to launch mobile phone access to Windows Live™ Mail, the future of MSN® Hotmail.  Launched this week, consumers will be able to access their MSN Hotmail or Windows Live Mail emails through a direct link on O2 Active without the need to search or enter a URL on their mobiles.

The link will enable the millions of Active customers to experience a greater range of communications choices more easily than ever before.  O2 and Windows Live Mail will allow people to use their phones to simply and easily stay in touch with their friends in the method that best suits them – phone, text or email.  Any O2 customer with an O2 Active capable handset on pre-pay or post-pay will be able to access their emails on the move for standard data charges.

The interface is specifically tailored for mobile to enhance the email experience, making it intuitive and easy to use. In addition to most common e-mail functions, consumers will also be able to compose emails faster though Auto Complete functions and see more of the message on the screen at any one time.  Searching and managing contacts will be a simple function that can be done from a mobile or a computer.

Said Keith Dewar, Head of Products at O2: "Consumers' appetite for communication via mobile email has been steadily growing and so we are very pleased to be the first operator to bring Windows Live Mail to our customers.  Indeed, our own i-mail service, which is available on i-mode®, has clearly shown that if it is as easy to use as text, consumers will embrace mobile to internet communications and vice versa.  This is the first of a range of mobile email services we are planning to offer, which will give consumers access to their existing email "

Joel Brazil, MSN Mobile Business Manager said: "Our millions of UK email customers want quick, easy communication no matter where they are.  This great deal with O2 gives them another way to easily stay in touch and means they never need to miss another mail again."

Windows Live Mail, the future of MSN Hotmail, is Microsoft's new consumer webmail product.  Features include faster than ever performance, a reading pane that previews your mail, 'drag and drop' for simple filing, and 'right click' mouse menus to allow people to easily delete, reply or print.  Sign up for Windows Live Mail at http://ideas.live.co.uk

Performance

Windows Live™ Mail is now faster and more responsive

Change colours on the fly

Choose a colour from the "customize" drop-down menu on any page and see your colour scheme change instantly.

Signatures

We know you've missed them, and now signatures are back. Add a custom signature that will appear at the bottom of every message.

Start an e-mail from anywhere

Now you don't have to go to the inbox to compose a new mail. With our new "split button" you can start a new mail from any page—or view a contact, folder, or group.

Firefox support

Get all the cool features of Windows Live Mail (reading pane, drag and drop, right-click menus, etc.) even when you use Firefox 1.5.