In a recent blog post, Microsoft announced a new feature aimed at keeping spam away from the inboxes of its Hotmail user-base. Currently, Hotmail users are allowed to modify their email addresses with a plus-sign (+) to facilitate easier mail management. John-doe@hotmail.com can modify his email address to john.doe+blogcomments@hotmail.com to help make mail organization and identification easier. The problem with that system, as Microsoft points out, is that it is “very easy to determine your actual email address” pointing out “there are times when you simply don’t want to give out any part of your real email address.” To solve this problem, the company is now allowing users to create email aliases; addresses that are not required to have any portion of the senders actual email address included in them. Not a bad feature addition considering how some companies like to, on occasion, share your information with each other. Hit the read link to check out the full article.

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According to a report filed by CNET, Microsoft’s free email service — Hotmail — will get Exchange ActiveSync support beginning on Monday. The site quotes Microsoft’s director of product management for the Windows Live, Dharmesh Mehta, as the source of the information. There isn’t much else to say about it, if you have a desktop client or mobile device that supports the ActiveSync protocol you’ll have access to push email, contacts, and calendar appointments in approximately four days. Any Hotmail users out there excited?

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Microsoft has announced that its new, improved Windows Live Hotmail interface is available to all 350 million users in over 220 countries. Microsoft writes, “Now, everyone can take advantage of a faster Hotmail experience with great new features like one-click filters, Sweep, Active Views and more.” We’re interested to know which email service you are using. Vote in our poll and let us know.

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Hotmail, Microsoft’s free email platform, has been getting a horde of new features lately; not to mention a new slogan, “the new busy.” Blog liveside.net is reporting that the ability to access your Hotmail data via ActiveSync, a feature that was scheduled for release later this summer, is now working for some users. That’s right, you can get your mobile device of choice — assuming is supports ActiveSync — to synchronize your Hotmail: email, contacts, and calendar items, with push. If you’re a Hotmail user and give this a try, do let us know how it turns out for you.

[Via WMExperts]

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Hot on the heels of the release of BlackBerry Internet Service 3.0, RIM has just posted the details for BIS 3.1 in the BlackBerry Technical Solutions Center. The main enhancement to be brought forth in BIS 3.1 is wireless contact synchronization support — something which Gmail users have been enjoying for a while now — but for Alt-N, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail accounts, things get a little murky (the latter two require OS 6.0). Synchronizations will be scheduled to occur every four hours. Less noteworthy but something that people who constantly swap ‘Berries should take note of, is that you’ll no longer be able to log into your BIS account through a computer, swap your PIN and then use a different device. From BIS 3.1 onwards, you’ll first need to insert the SIM card currently tied to your BIS account into the new phone, log into BIS, swap the PIN and then proceed as normal. CDMA users will have to contact their carrier. Happy? Sad? Wondering when you’ll be able to wirelessly sync your calendars? Let us know your thoughts!

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• Ultra-simple activation: same easy, two-click activation that’s available today from SEVEN on many devices can also be pre-configured for Android so that end-users only have to enter their email address and password.
• Support for business email: provides mobile subscribers with seamless and secure access to Microsoft Exchange or IBM Lotus Domino corporate email, which represents 80% of the corporate email services in use without installing any software behind the firewall.
• Easy access to popular Internet email: consumers have instant access to multiple accounts from popular providers such as AOL, Gmail, Microsoft Live Hotmail, MSN, Yahoo! and other internet email providers as needed to support local markets.
• Integrated contact management and search: for contacts stored on the device as well as remote contact lists from personal address books and corporate directories.
• Robust calendar support: ability to edit, delete and add appointments from personal or business calendars including Microsoft Exchange.

Having used the S60 version of SEVEN for quite some time, we know it as fast, reliable and always improving. As such, we expect the same out of the Android build and seriously doubt we’ll be disappointed. In terms of when the new beta will become available, look for it sometime in Q2 of this year.

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By now you all have heard that BlackBerry BIS 2.5 is rolling out to U.S. carriers on June 29th. Heck, there’s even going to be some downtime. But, maybe that isn’t enough? Maybe you’d like more information. We’ve definitely got you covered in that area. We just got a hold of this presentation outlining BIS 2.5 and all the various features. The sad part? As some of you know, all the sexy stuff requires BlackBerry OS 4.5 which according to the presentation will not be available until September. That’s not to say some of you aren’t running it already, but September guys? For reals? Head on over to the gallery to check it out for yourself, but we’ll break down the more interesting stuff here for all you lazy bums:

• You can save attachments including audio and video formats.
• Full list of supported downloadable attachments are: .doc, .ppt., .xls, .wpd, .txt, .html, .pdf, .zip, and the aforementioned audio / video formats.
• File size of attachments is limited to 3MB.
• The 4.5 OS will be “available for all BlackBerry’s in September.” This includes the 8100, 8800, 8820, 8300, 8310, 8120, and the 8110. No 8320 love?
• “If a BlackBerry launches before September, it will have 4.5 software.”
• Addition of push AOL email and Hotmail/MSN accounts.

Click on over to our BlackBerry BIS 2.5 presentation gallery!

Using Windows Mobile Live suite of applications on your Nokia S60 enabled handset is now possible thanks to, well, Microsoft. They’ve released an official version of Windows Live Messenger, Live contacts, Spaces, and Hotmail tailor made for Nokia devices, and the software suite automatically syncs your phone contacts with your Hotmail contacts. You can also send images and files direct from your handset by way of Windows Live Messenger. Installation is available immediately, directly from Microsoft.

[Via Gizmodo]

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