Hotmail was founded by Jack Smith along with?

Hotmail, one of the earliest web-based email services, was launched on July 4, 1996, by Jack Smith and Sabeer Bhatia. The idea was revolutionary at the time, as it allowed people to access their email from any computer connected to the internet, removing the dependency on a specific device or ISP-based email.

Jack Smith, while working at Apple Computer, initially conceptualized the idea of accessing email via a web browser. However, it was Sabeer Bhatia, an Indian entrepreneur and engineer, who partnered with Smith to bring this vision to life. The duo originally named the service "HoTMaiL" to highlight the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) technology it was built on.

The launch date of July 4th was symbolic—it represented "freedom" from ISP-based email systems. Hotmail quickly gained popularity because it was free, easy to use, and provided users with storage for messages without the need for specialized software.

Within a short span, Hotmail attracted millions of users, making it a prime target for acquisition. In December 1997, Microsoft acquired Hotmail for an estimated $400 million. This acquisition was a major milestone in the internet boom of the late 1990s and helped Microsoft strengthen its online presence by integrating Hotmail with its MSN services.

Over the years, Hotmail went through multiple transformations. Microsoft eventually rebranded it as Outlook.com in 2013, offering an updated interface, improved features, and deeper integration with Microsoft Office, OneDrive, and other services.

The success story of Jack Smith and Sabeer Bhatia is often cited as an example of how innovation, timing, and strategic partnerships can lead to groundbreaking technological advancements. Their creation not only transformed personal communication but also paved the way for the development of other web-based services that define modern internet usage.