Microsoft has released a beta or test version of their Outlook Connector add-in which links Hotmail and Windows Live services to Outlook.
Microsoft has released a beta or test version of their Outlook Connector add-in which links Hotmail and Windows Live services to Outlook.
The download is available from Microsoft and based on the short description there you’d wonder what’s the difference between this beta and the current full release. There’s no indication of changes and no Knowledge Base article link.
The connector requires Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007.
The main and welcome improvement with the v12.1 beta is the inclusion of free calendar synchronization. At present you need a paid subscription to sync your Calendar but no more.
That brings Windows Live into sync with Outlook for email, contacts and calendar.
All your calendars in Windows Live including shared calendars will sync to your local copy of Outlook with the v12.1 beta.
Keep in mind that a Hotmail calendar is different from the newer Windows Live calendar – the Outlook Connector will only sync with the latter.
If you’re a regular user of Windows Live and link it to your Outlook then the v12.1 beta might be of interest. Until the software goes public and out of testing it’s probably best to remain on the sidelines.
