Microsoft is Testing Ads in Mail App For Windows 10 in Select Markets (betanews.com)

Mark Wilson writes: Ads in your inbox. Sounds like something you'd expect from the likes of Google or Yahoo, but Microsoft appears to be about to get in on the act as well. And we're not talking about online ads in your Outlook.com account -- we're talking about ads in the Mail app that's included with Windows 10. A new report says that Microsoft is currently testing ads with Windows Insiders, so it could be just a matter of time before they spread wider. In a support page, spotted first by news outlet Thurrott, Microsoft says, "Consistent with consumer email apps and services like Outlook.com, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail, advertising allows us to provide, support, and improve some of our products. We're always experimenting with new features and experiences. Currently, we have a pilot running in Brazil, Canada, Australia, and India to get user feedback on ads in Mail."

Update: ZDNet reports that Calendar app for Windows 10 is getting the same treatment.

Comments

Hey Microsoft - I have some user feedback:

[slashdice]

Fuck you.

Re:Hey Microsoft - I have some user feedback:

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly. There are two types of users I help; those that embrace change and those that are terrified of it. For the first user I install Linux Mint on their machine and help them through the learning curve. The second I upgrade their systems to Windows 7 (and yes, you can easily get Windows 7 working on the latest generation CPUs). The best thing you can do to help rid the world of Microsoft is help people away from Windows 10 in any way possible, even if that means upgrading to an earlier version of Windows.

I am shocked!

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

People are still using the Mail App bundled with Win10?

Enough people use it to make it a viable advertisement platform?

Come on, is it April 1?

WTF

[DarkOx]

Look Microsoft you have been shipping a mail client (of a kind) with Windows since at least 3.11. Now maybe that was just a ploy to sell some NT Server and later Exchange licenses. All fine; whatever. Here is the thing though you are charging me for the OS. The license fee should pay for you to improve my experience.

The addition of advertising will certainly NOT improve my experience. Now I would argue that a mail client really is out side the scope of an OS anyway. If you don't want to support it or develop it; than just drop it entirely. Plenty of freeware mail clients out there you crappy one will be missed by exactly nobody.

Keep in mind though you are continuing to destroy the general value proposition of Windows. Apple seems to be able to deliver OSX with a suite of software that would be pretty adequate for most home users needs and give it away for free with (or pay for it by bundling it with) the hardware.

If you expect anyone past the current generation of midlevel IT managers who have just always bought MS; to pay premium prices for your Surface hardware well you better deliver a premium OS. The rest of us are NOT going to pay for your adware.

Re:Where shall we run to?

[b0s0z0ku]

Thunderbird is still worlds ahead of the 2018 version of Outlook Express...

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:One more reason...

[Anonymous Coward]

The Windows mail app consistently complains it can't access my contacts list, and directs me to my Windows privacy settings to fix it. Thing is, I *want* access to my contacts disabled, that's why it's set that way. It's called, uh, privacy.

Yeah, this ads idea is just one more reason not to use the Windows mail app. Thunderbird works fine for my purposes, thank you very much.