[The articles below were posted between May 30, 2005 and Jun. 20, 2005 and appear in the July 2005 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Windows & Mobile

New 64-bit Options Aid Performance, Security

Although new 64-bit processors run most existing 32-bit applications, the lack of device drivers may prove to be an interim roadblock to widespread adoption

Longhorn to Bring New Printing Path

Longhorn will include a new print path, offering better performance and print quality, but requiring change to applications as well as new printers and drivers

New Content Protection Technology in Longhorn

Longhorn will support new copy-protection schemes—including the ability to copy-protect or disable video outputs—in an effort to convince content owners to trust the PC with high-definition video

June 2005 Security Updates

The June 2005 security updates, including three critical and four important patches, are available through the unified Microsoft Update Web site and can be deployed with Windows Server Update Services

Server Platforms

Reporting Services Updated for SQL Server 2005

Updates to Reporting Services and a new end-user reporting feature could encourage upgrades to SQL Server 2005; however, the new feature works only with SQL Server data sources

Updated Patching Tools Cover OSs, Applications

Two new tools are available to help users and organizations keep Microsoft OSs and applications current with the latest patches and service packs

Security, Management Focus at TechEd

TechEd 2005 keynote addresses focused on security and management, offered some insight into upcoming SQL Server and Visual Studio releases, and hinted at future products

Small Business Server 2003 SP1

The first service packs for Small Business Server 2003 are now available, and Premium customers get a free upgrade to Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004

Development Tools & Programs

Acrylic Targets Graphics Professionals

A new program marks Microsoft's entry into the professional graphics market and increased competition with Adobe, but its limited feature set and the popularity of Adobe products pose major obstacles

Avalon Takes on Flash and Applets

Avalon, the graphics system to be included in Longhorn, will provide a .NET alternative to Java applets by allowing 'Express' applications to run within Internet Explorer and with limited security privileges

Business Applications & Services

Office Document Processing Platform Emerging

Upcoming Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office shows how Microsoft's Information Worker group could outflank Adobe in digital document processing

Office 12: New File Format

The next version of Office will use new XML file formats for several of its applications, simplifying access to Office data from other applications but possibly posing challenges to migration

New Point-of-Sale Software for Small Retailers

A new point-of-sale application will challenge Intuit's QuickBooks Point of Sale; however, the product does not work with Microsoft's main accounting products, such as Great Plains

Microsoft Business Network Cancelled

The Microsoft Business Network—services and software that helped companies build electronic trading networks—is being retired; Microsoft will incorporate its features into products such as Great Plains

Consumer Products & Services

New Guidelines, Tools in Spam War

New MSN guidelines help ensure that legitimate messages, such as newsletters, aren't stopped by Hotmail's spam filters; a new tool helps ISPs stop spam from originating from their domains

Free Mapping Site to Be Overhauled

MSN Virtual Earth, the successor to the MSN Maps site, will include satellite and aerial photographs, better search, and user annotations

Corporate News

EU Concessions; Patent Setbacks

To avoid further fines from European regulators, Microsoft offers to change some licensing terms for communications protocols