Mail Client to Include Search, Ads

Active Search, a feature planned for Windows Live Mail Desktop (a forthcoming free e-mail client), will suggest searches and display advertisements based on words in users’ e-mail messages. Active Search signals how Microsoft hopes to earn money from Windows Live by displaying contextual advertisements and search results throughout Windows Live software and services. However, if Active Search is too intrusive, users might avoid the client.

Making Money from Windows Live

Windows Live Mail Desktop (WLMD), currently in closed beta and expected for release by 2007, is a free, downloadable e-mail client that will let users access Windows Live Mail (the planned replacement for Microsoft’s Hotmail e-mail service) without a browser and store messages offline. WLMD users will also be able to view e-mail messages from other accounts, including POP3 and other online mail services (such as Google’s Gmail), and access RSS feeds, among other features. (For more details on WLMD, see “Desktop Client for Windows Live Mail” on page 24 of the Apr. 2006 Update.)