'MOOL' Takes Subscription Outlook Live

Microsoft Thursday announced the availability of Microsoft Office Outlook Live, the first Office component offered as a downloadable subscription service. As first reported by BetaNews in early December, Outlook Live enables subscribers to use MSN Hotmail to view their e-mail accounts, contacts and calendars from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Outlook Live, or MOOL, will be a paid service available for $59.95 USD per year, although Microsoft will offer the service at a promotional price of $44.95 USD until April 11, 2005. With the subscription, users get a special edition of Outlook 2003 for Subscription Services, in addition to 2 GB of online storage and the ability to send attachments of up to 20 MB.

MOOL users on the run can make updates to tasks or contacts within the Outlook client, which are then synchronized automatically with MSN Mail or Hotmail. Microsoft offers Outlook Connector with similar functionality to MSN Premium subscribers, but without a copy of Outlook 2003.

"Outlook Live is the most advanced consumer e-mail service available from Microsoft and is perfect for individuals who really want to get the most out of their e-mail," said Blake Irving, MSN vice president. "MSN is committed to delivering a range of free and subscription e-mail services to meet customer needs, and Outlook Live is the perfect addition to our portfolio."

Microsoft has not said whether it plans to offer other Office System products on a subscription basis, or how it will extend MOOL in the future.

As reported earlier, contributing evidence still suggests that one possible usage scenario for MOOL would be to enable customers to integrate their mobile voicemail into Outlook; ultimately being able to store, annotate, search, and send messages.