A Possible(?) Benefit(??) from the switch from Hotmail to Outlook.com is reported:

Outlook.com to let users engage in IM chats with Gmail users

Microsoft says this new feature is 'one more reason to make the switch' from Gmail to Outlook.com

By Juan Carlos Perez | 14 May 13

Microsoft is upgrading its new Outlook.com webmail service so that its users can communicate with Gmail users via instant messaging.

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More at the link, including some links to other articles on the subject of the whole mess.

You'll have to decide for yourselves whether IM directly to/from your email reader is a big deal.

John