Microsoft seems to be following Google. Yes Microsoft is adopting most of the features from Gmail to Hotmail. In the process of attracting mail users to Hotmail, They are implementing IM right from Hotmail, new calendar features and 70% faster to sing in and see your email not only these Hotmail is coming with many new features to full fill the needs of  all the users starting from a basic user to corporate user.

As you know already Yahoo implemented IM from Yahoo mail, Calendar and faster usage and all. Now lately Microsoft realized to give all these features to stop the migration to Gmail and Yahoo. 

More details are here:

Faster than ever: It’ll be up to 70 percent faster to sign in and see your e-mail.1 Of course, along with more speed, you’ll get powerful technology that deflects spam and helps protect you against viruses and scams.

Simpler, cleaner design: We’re combining the classic and full versions of Hotmail, so you get access to everything Hotmail has to offer. The reading pane will let you check out your e-mail without having to open it up.

Put more you in your e-mail: New themes and colors will let you design the look of your inbox, so your personality can really shine through.

Closer to your contacts: Just start typing in the “To” line and you’ll get a choice of e-mail contacts that most closely match what you’ve typed. Plus, it’ll be even easier to e-mail groups of people.

Cool stuff coming soon: We’ve got even more great updates to Hotmail for you to look forward to, like ever-increasing storage2, the ability to IM right from Hotmail, and new calendar features that make it easier to share your calendar with family and friends.