MS stops updates for OE

[Force Flow]

Why does it seem like updates for many of the widely used programs are being halted?

Microsoft has confirmed that it has no intention of further developing Outlook Express. "[Outlook Express] just sits where it is," said Dan Leach, lead product manager for Microsoft's information worker product management group. "The technology doesn't go away, but no new work is being done. It is consumer e-mail in an early iteration, and our investment in the consumer space is now focused around Hotmail and MSN.

http://asia.cnet.com/newstech/applic...9145881,00.htm

[doctorgonzo]

Can't charge for OE, so there's not much point in spending time on it. They will only develop things they can make money on.

[David14259]

Yeah, I'm sure they're working on a new Outlook type program that they'll sell and make more money.

[doctorgonzo]

They telegraphed where they are headed by mentioning Hotmail and MSN.

My guess is that their e-mail program will be a web service, which dovetails nicely with their push for subscription-based software. They will continue to take features away from Hotmail to encourage users to pay for the OE-over-Internet solution they are coming up with.

[Force Flow]

hrm. Looks like a good time to think about switching from a hotmail account