What is Hotmail? Hotmail was a free internet email provider founded in the United States in 1995 by Jack Smith and Indian entrepreneur Shabir Bhatia. After being acquired by Microsoft for a high price in late 1997, it began to operate entirely on the Windows platform. Later, it merged with other Microsoft service platforms to become part of MSN and Windows Live. On May 2, 2013, Hotmail was upgraded to Outlook Mail, marking the official end of Hotmail.
Website: hotmail.com

In the early days of the internet, email service was one of the most important tools for connecting people. Among the many email service providers, Hotmail was undoubtedly one of the most influential brands. So, what exactly is Hotmail? Simply put, Hotmail is a provider of free internet email service. Its emergence greatly promoted the development of email services and influenced the way countless users communicate. Hotmail's history dates back to 1995, when it was co-founded in the United States by Jack Smith and Indian entrepreneur Shabir Bhatia. Its innovation lay in providing a web-based email service, meaning users could access their mailboxes on any internet-connected device without installing specific software. This feature enabled Hotmail to quickly gain a large user base, becoming one of the most popular email services at the time. However, Hotmail's journey was not without its challenges. With the rapid development of the internet, competition intensified. Against this backdrop, in late 1997, Microsoft recognized Hotmail's enormous potential and decided to acquire it at a high price. This acquisition was a turning point for Hotmail; it began to operate entirely on the Windows platform and gradually integrated with other Microsoft service platforms, becoming an important part of MSN and Windows Live. With Microsoft's support, Hotmail was able to further develop, adding many new features such as larger email storage space and more efficient spam filtering technology. These improvements made Hotmail's user experience richer and more convenient, consolidating its market position. However, as time went on, the internet environment and user needs continued to change. To adapt to these changes, Microsoft decided to upgrade Hotmail to Outlook on May 2, 2013. This move marked the official end of the Hotmail brand, but the innovative spirit and deep understanding of user needs it represented continued. Although Hotmail no longer exists as an independent brand, its place in internet history cannot be ignored. From its founding in 1995 to its acquisition by Microsoft in 1997, and then its upgrade to Outlook in 2013, Hotmail experienced several important stages of internet development, witnessing the evolution of email services from nothing to something, from simple to complex. In this process, Hotmail not only provided users with a convenient communication tool but also set a benchmark for later email service providers. Today, although Hotmail has stepped back from the limelight, its influence remains. For those who once used Hotmail, it was more than just an email service; it was a precious memory, recording their growth and changes in the internet age. For the entire internet industry, Hotmail's story is a vivid example of innovation, adaptation, and change, inspiring newcomers to forge ahead in an ever-changing environment. In short, although Hotmail is no longer the most popular email service, its place and contribution in internet history are indelible. From its inception to its demise, Hotmail's story offers us profound insights into innovation, development, and change.