MSN Hotmail Now in Korean, Traditional Chinese And Simplified Chinese Languages

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 15, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that the MSN® Hotmail® service, the world’s most popular provider of free e-mail service with 74 million users, is now available in Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese, bringing the total number of languages supported to 10. With these new languages, MSN targets more than 37 million online users in a growth market that is expected to increase by 10 million users over the next year.*

“In providing these languages, we are bringing the world’s most popular free e-mail service to Chinese and Korean speakers everywhere,”
said Joe Doran, international product manager at MSN.
“This is fundamental to our strategy of delivering a simple, integrated and more personal experience on the Web to consumers worldwide. We are offering a way for consumers to keep in touch with family and friends in their own language, whether they’re in Seoul, Hong Kong, New York or London.”

In addition to offering new languages, MSN Hotmail also features enhancements to its Inbox Protector and security settings. The MSN Hotmail Inbox Protector now offers consumers the option to receive mail only from individuals already set up in their address book or from specified domains. Consumers can choose to turn this feature on if they want to experience a greater level of protection against unwanted e-mail. The updated security settings in MSN Hotmail enable users to elect when their Hotmail session expires, assuring them their session will expire if they leave themselves logged on.

Also announced today is the availability of MSN Messenger Service 3.5, which now offers low-rate PC-to-phone calls anywhere in the world** and free** PC-to-phone calls anywhere in the United States*. MSN Messenger is the easy-to-use instant messaging service that provides consumers with seven integrated ways to communicate with the people they care about in the way they want. Not only can users make phone calls from their PC, they also can share files with friends, use fun emoticons in chat, engage in PC-to-PC voice conversations, send e-mail and exchange instant messages for greater flexibility in communicating. MSN Messenger 3.5 provides deeper integration with MSN Hotmail by allowing Hotmail users to start an instant message session directly from their Hotmail account. In addition, users of MSN Messenger can use MSN Hotmail to send e-mail to friends who are offline. MSN Messenger supports 26 languages, including Traditional and Simplified Chinese and Korean, more than any other instant messaging service.

About MSN

MSN gives consumers a new home on the Internet — a central place where they can get everything they need from the Web and make the most of their time online. With more than 210 million visitors in September, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 33 markets and in 17 languages — a broader global presence than any other portal. MSN takes advantage of the Microsoft® .NET Platform to offer leading services, any time, any place and on any device, with the most integrated and personalized user experience for communications, search, shopping, personal finance and entertainment. MSN Internet Access and the recently introduced MSN Explorer offer quick, personal and exciting ways to get on to and take advantage of the Web. Best-of-breed services include the MSN Hotmail Web-based e-mail service, the world’s largest e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, one of the fastest growing instant messaging services on the Web; MSN Search, the second most popular online search service; MSN Mobile, the customizable wireless information service; the award-winning MSN MoneyCentral™
online personal finance guide; MSN eShop, the one-stop online shopping resource; and MSN Custom Web Sites, the easy way to share information on the Web. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

* Source: Various sources including Nua, Headcount and IDC.

**Calls placed using Messenger Service 3.0 or 3.5 are free when made from a computer to a computer or when made from a computer to a telephone or mobile device in the 50 United States, District of Columbia and Canada. To place calls from a computer to a telephone or mobile device outside the 50 United States, District of Columbia and Canada, the user must have a prepaid Net2Phone account; all fees for such calls will be deducted from this account by Net2Phone. However, any standard phone charges and connect-time charges normally paid for Internet access provider (ISP), telephone, cell phone or mobile device service will still apply when placing calls with Messenger. Certain country restrictions also apply; void where prohibited by law. Internet calls are regulated and blocked by law in certain countries. Requires an MSN, Passport or Hotmail account, multimedia computer, 28.8Kbps modem, sound card, speakers, microphone and Internet access. Voice transmission services are made available to users of MSN Messenger Service 3.0 and 3.5 by Net2Phone. Subject to change without notice.

Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail and MoneyCentral are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries/regions.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

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