If you use Windows Live Hotmail, you’re probably aware that there’s a built-in calendar which allows you to plan events and access your schedule on the Web.  Until now, you could sync your Live Hotmail email and and contacts with Outlook using a free utility called Outlook Connector, but syncing your online calendar with your Outlook calendar required a paid subscription. However, a new version of Outlook Connector, v12.1 (which is currently in beta) allows you to sync your Live Hotmail email, contacts and calendar entries with Outlook for free.

Outlook Connector 12 requires Outlook 2003 or 2007, and of course, if you sync your Windows Mobile device with Outlook, your calendar entries will also be mirrored on your handheld.  We’ve been using it for a couple of days without a hitch, so if you’re interested, give it a try.