We already know that Windows Live Hotmail is the name that's been decided on for the newly-released web-based email service that we used to know as MSN Hotmail (since 1996 or so). There were a couple of other name changes tried during the testing period but they're behind us now and we can get back to simply talking about our Hotmail.

On the desktop, though, we'll have to get used to a new name for the next generation email client to replace Outlook Express and Windows Mail on Vista - watch for Windows Live Mail to be available later in May.

Windows Live Mail will take in many features from Windows Live Mail desktop (WLMd). webDotWiz has been using WLMd for a few months, not so much for email (remember, email is for the oldies) but for the in-built feed reader (RSS) so the information comes to him rather than him having to try to visit  zillions of sites everyday (which is impossible, anyway) to keep up with what's happening.

For a bit of fun, see the new features in Windows Live Hotmail on http://www.newlivehotmail.com/.

On the more serious side of things, see the It's Here and the Fun Has Only Just Begun post on the Windows Live Hotmail team space.

Here's a breakdown of what we can expect in the new Windows Live Mail (available in a few weeks as a trial version so keep an eye on http://get.live.com/betas):

Windows Live Mail will include all the great features that were available to you in WLMd (Windows Live Mail desktop), plus:

• New and improved user interface:  Cleaner design, and now with Aero support on Vista

• Setup and account migration improvements:  Smoother experience overall - you will now have fewer steps in order to get started with the client.

• More parity with Outlook Express and Vista Windows Mail:  S/MIME and LDAP support are just two of the features that we’ve been working on for WLM which will bring us more parity with our other free mail clients.

• Performance and stability:  The new product will be faster and more robust than WLMd.

• No Ads:  Yes, it’s true – there will be no graphical ads in the WLM beta build.

There's more info on the Windows Live Mail team space and Liveside has more info too.

webDotWiz will be one of the first to install Windows Live Mail as soon as it's available (later this month?) so keep an eye on your webDotWiz RSS feed on your own Space and check http://wlmailclient.spaces.live.com from time to time.

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