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CNET Editors' Take
July 28, 2006 5:38 AM PDT
Designed to replace Outlook Express, Windows Live Desktop Mail beta is a preview edition of Microsoft's new, free desktop e-mail application, which lets you edit images and read messages from Gmail and Yahoo accounts.
Microsoft is already renovating Hotmail and renaming it Windows Live Mail. As if all the Windows Live rebranding weren't confusing enough to track, today a beta edition of yet another e-mail tool is rolling out from Redmond.
The free Windows Live Mail Desktop, set to replace Outlook Express, is a breed apart from the update in the works for the Web-based Hotmail. Mail Desktop's prominent "Add an e-mail account" button lets you set up automatic feeds of messages from Gmail and Yahoo Mail. Other features include built-in RSS feeds to display your handpicked news, drag-and-drop message organizing, POP and IMAP compatibility, and spam and phishing safeguards. You'll be able to edit and attach photos and publish blog entries without leaving the interface. Go to ideas.live.com to try the test edition of Desktop Mail. We'll keep you posted once we give it a try.
