Microsoft has announced the global launch of Windows Live Hotmail, a new version of its e-mail service, in 36 languages.

According to the release, the new service has been built to be a vast improvement over the previous Hotmail, having incorporated inputs from more than 20 million ’beta’ testers.

The new Live Hotmail will deliver safer, more powerful and productive e-mail experience with flexible access via the web, on a mobile phone or with an e-mail client, it said.

Later this month, Live Hotmail subscribers will be able to access their Windows Live Hotmail email and contacts for free, using Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 or Office Outlook 2007 via the new Microsoft Office Outlook Connector Beta.

"With Windows Live Hotmail, you can preview your email, drag and drop emails and personalise your inbox," remarked Jaspreet Bindra, country manager, Microsoft Online Services Group India.

PTI