Where is WinRT API to RETRIEVE email? [I know MS are pushing 'share' for use cases normally associated with sending an email]

Hotmail (now outlook.com) supports IMAP and POP, as well as Exchange ActiveSync, so you can access your mail via those protocols either by using a 3rd party control which supports them or by talking to them directly.

http://ift.tt/1mFfy4C

--Rob