May 13th, 2006

Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta for Download

Posted by Matt | Discussion: Leave a comment »

Filed under Microsoft + Software & Tools

Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta (WLMDB) leaked out! - Now available to download for non beta testers.

Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta was originally only given out to a small group of beta testers. Supposedly according to other sources, beta testers of the program will soon be given invites to share with other people.

Anyway, now you can have a try! (*Download link below)

Windows Live Mail Desktop, is designed to provide Windows Live Mail and legacy Hotmail users with client-access to e-mail services. The Windows Live Mail Desktop client will be similar to Outlook Express in the way it operates, but it is optimized to integrate Microsoft’s Live platform. The application would also provide functionality for users of Windows Live Contacts, Messenger, Spaces, and other such services.

There’s a ton of new features, a new face, and a fresh new start for the newly dubbed Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta (WLMDB).

Some of the WLMD features:

Integration with Windows Live Mail and Messenger – Get direct access to your Windows Live Mail e-mails without having to configure any server settings. Plus integrated Messenger contacts directly in the email client. (In case you’re confused by our new name just think Hotmail when you read Windows Live Mail and think of us when you read Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta. The Desktop part makes us special. )
Photo Mail – Photo Mail will let you send your favorite vacation pictures as thumbnails to all of your friends and family then automatically upload a larger version to MSN. Each thumbnail received will have a link to a much higher quality large image. This is a great feature that is only found in the MSN Premium e-mail client for paying MSN members.
RSS Feeds – WLMD program managers, developers, and tester have worked hard with the IE7 team to integrate RSS feeds directly into Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta. You can now view and forward them as if they were regular emails.
Anti-Phishing – WLMDB will warn you of malicious emails that try to steal your identity. We understand the threats lurking out there and we’re going to do out best to protect you.
Word Wheel – The feature with the weird name you won’t be able to live without. Search all of your emails in split-second times from any folder.
Multiple accounts - We designed this to work with Windows Live Mail, but you can download any POP or IMAP e-mails into WLMDB. This way you can see all your accounts and e-mails from one organized place.
And there’s more! – This is just a short random list of some of our new features and no where close to covering all of the new stuff.

Screenshots:

Download: Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta

My 2 Cents

Lets be honest, I’m not a Windows Live Mail user, so not much to say here. OK, The Photo mail feature sounds good but is this a really needed feature? There are a bunch free online photo sharing services around. Anyway, just give it a try!