Microsoft aiming to make Hotmail cool again

MICROSOFT Corp is trying to make Hotmail cool again.

The free web mail service soon will be switching to a new approach that Microsoft hopes will give Hotmail an edge over rival offerings from Yahoo Inc and Google Inc.

The upgrade, expected to be available in July or August, will automatically sort incoming messages into different categories devoted to users’ key contacts and internet social networks. It will also provide previews of incoming photos, videos and other material without having to open an attachment or click on a link.