[The articles below were posted between Aug. 29, 2005 and Sep. 19, 2005 and appear in the October 2005 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Windows & Mobile

Windows Server 2003 R2 Identity Management

Windows Server 2003 R2 includes Microsoft's first deliverables for linking Active Directories in two organizations, but the supported scenarios are limited to Web applications, and some applications may require changes

R2 to Include Unix Services

Windows Server 2003 R2 will begin to take over for Services for Unix, which enables Windows servers to use Unix-compatible file sharing and directory protocols and run Unix applications

Centro to Integrate Midsize Platform

The bundle of software targeting midsize businesses first announced in July 2005 will evolve into a fully integrated product code-named Centro

Download Restores Windows XP N

Windows XP N complies fully with the European Commission's requirements; however, customers can download the Windows Media Player and other components it excludes

Server Platforms

Taking Another Stab at Telephony

The latest Microsoft solution for computer-telephony integration has limitations that will make it mainly attractive to organizations that already use Live Communications Server for instant messaging

SQL Server 2005 Partitions Large Databases

A new mechanism for partitioning large tables in SQL Server 2005 will improve the performance and manageability of large databases, such as data warehouses

Host Integration Update in 2006

Planned for 2006, Host Integration Server 'Dawson' will enhance developer tools and deliver BizTalk Server plug-ins for IBM mainframe application integration

BizTalk Server Accelerators and Adapters

Adapters and accelerators have been updated to run on BizTalk Server 2004; new adapters will follow the release of BizTalk 2006, which is scheduled for early 2006

Development Tools & Programs

PDC Samples Wide Range of Upcoming Products

The 2005 Professional Developers Conference gave attendees plenty of new Windows Vista, Office 12, Longhorn Server, and Visual Studio 2005 technologies to play with

Visual Studio 2005 Brings Data Access Improvements

Visual Studio 2005's integration features and better tools for building database applications could help developers take advantage of SQL Server 2005

Team System Out to 2006

Visual Studio Team System has been delayed until the first quarter of 2006, but the rest of Visual Studio remains on track for a Nov. 2005 launch

Business Applications & Services

Office 12: New User Interface, Content Management

The next version of the Office suite will deliver a fundamentally redesigned user interface and new features for enterprise content management

Retail and Great Plains Integration

A free add-in improves integration between Microsoft's Retail Management System and Great Plains, creating a more integrated accounting and store management solution for midsize retailers

Consumer Products & Services

Voice over IP Startup Acquired

The acquisition of Teleo will enable Microsoft to add PC-to-phone voice call capabilities to MSN Messenger and perhaps launch a VoIP service for businesses

Update, Rebate for MSN TV 2

The successor to Web TV gets an incremental update, and a US$100 rebate cuts its price in half through Jan. 2006

Xbox Live Pricing and Features

Gamers will be able to purchase shorter-duration subscriptions to Xbox Live and will no longer need a credit card, paving the way for impulse purchases by younger gamers

New Precision Mice, Keyboards

New mice for gamers and notebooks and the latest revision to Microsoft's ergonomic keyboard line are among the new releases from Microsoft Hardware

MSN Toolbar Adds Anti-Phishing

A free Internet Explorer 6 add-in from MSN will give the browser anti-phishing capabilities

Sales & Support

Software Assurance Benefits Enhanced, Simplified

Fall 2005 changes to Software Assurance add a variety of new consulting services and supplementary software and will make it easier for customers to access product support benefits

Summit Previews Midmarket Push

More manageable products aimed at hard-pressed IT managers, software targeted at specific business processes and roles, and a 'Dynamics' label for business applications emerged from a midmarket-focused conference

Corporate News

Lee Injunction and Other Legal News

A judge rules that Kai-Fu Lee is allowed to recruit non-Microsoft employees for Google's Chinese R&D operation but may not do other types of work for at least one year