MUMBAI: Microsoft Corp. today announced that Windows Live Hotmail, the successor to MSN Hotmail, is launching globally in more than 36 languages and 12 markets across Asia, including India.

The new service combines the best advertising features from MSN Hotmail with new and improved formats that allow advertisers to gain more mileage in web space. The new version also promises to be safer, more powerful and productive, with flexible access via the Web, on a mobile phone or with an e-mail client.

With the launch of Windows Live Hotmail, Microsoft has tried to balance the needs of advertisers with the user experience. A new single 728 x 90 super-banner ad that appears on the main mail, contacts, and calendar pages aims to ensure that advertisers capture 100 per cent share of voice.

Similarly, a large rectangular 300 X 600 ad unit on the Sent Mail confirmation page is meant to serve a similar purpose. On the Today page, advertisers can leverage 300 X 250 and 728 x 90 super-banner ads to get in front of consumers as soon as they log into their accounts. Advertisers will also be able to target customers by age, gender, occupation, region, country, language, time and day and connection speed.

"Windows Live Hotmail is a unique experience that will help to deepen engagement with our users and expand our audience. By developing an experience for people that is fast, simple, and safe, we have built a valuable touch point for advertisers," says MSN India head of digital marketing revenue and strategic business Rajnish.

Several upgraded features include the safety bar at the top of each e-mail message that will give a visual cue of the status of the e-mail, improved spam protection, customization of views and coloured themes according to the choice of users. The classic version looks similar to MSN Hotmail for those who prefer the familiar look, while full version works more like Outlook with advanced functionality.