Microsoft have announced Office Outlook Live, which synchronizes Outlook and Hotmail Latest News about Hotmail content. The service, which will cost users US$59.95 a year, will initially be offered at the lower price of US$44.95 until the middle of April. But what to expect for that price? Well, a number of things. 2 GB of Hotmail or MSN Mail storage for one, and the ability to manage multiple e-mail accounts and view schedules, contacts and to-do lists for another.

Consumers should not ignore the e-mail, storage and other consumer services offered by Microsoft's competitors, adding that the trend is toward consumer-oriented offerings advancing more rapidly than those for enterprises.

"Microsoft and its competitors are working aggressively to simplify this stuff so it is both useful and acceptable." - Peter O'Kelly, senior analyst at the Burton Group.