[The articles below were posted between Oct. 24, 2005 and Nov. 14, 2005 and appear in the December 2005 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]
Windows & Mobile
- Free! Malicious Software Removal Tools Roadmap
- Although Microsoft has begun laying out a roadmap for its malicious software removal tools, release dates and licensing are still unknown, and Microsoft faces significant challenges
- Microsoft Positioned for Smart-Phone Growth
- Nobody is yet certain how big the market for smart phones will grow, but Microsoft thinks it has a strategy for winning a large slice of it
- Media Center Updated
- An update to Windows XP Media Center Edition adds support for streaming content, including high-definition video, to an Xbox 360, as well as bug fixes and minor new features
- Windows XP Security Guide Updated
- The 219-page Windows XP Security Guide will help IT departments securely configure Windows XP client machines for corporate environments
- Nov. 2005 Security Updates
- Nov. 2005's 'Patch Tuesday' included one critical patch for vulnerabilities in the Windows graphics rendering engine, and an advisory was issued for an Oct. 2005 update
Sales & Support
- Free! The Role of the Communications Sector Group
- New challenges face Microsoft's Communications Sector group, which is dedicated to marketing Microsoft products to the telecommunications and media industries
- Shared Source Licensing Simplified
- New licenses for companies that want to view or use Microsoft source code bring the company closer to open-source licenses and simplify licensing for commercial use or viewing of source code
- Testing, Support for SQL Server ISVs
- ISVs that quickly develop applications running on SQL Server 2005 are eligible for free application testing, technical support, and other benefits
Server Platforms
- SQL Server 2005 Improves Management, Enterprise Features
- Manageability improvements in SQL Server 2005 could further solidify the product's position in the database midmarket; furthermore, new high-availability capabilities could help it gain traction in the enterprise market
- Exchange SP for Devices, Security
- Exchange Server 2003 SP2 includes many new features, many of which will also require new Windows Mobile phones
- Swiss VoIP Startup Acquired
- Microsoft has acquired Media-streams.com, a developer of software that gives Outlook VoIP capabilities
Development Tools & Programs
- Vista Communications Layer Targets Web Services
- The Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) aims to simplify Web services, but interoperability will depend on key Web service standards and customers' ability to adapt to a new style of programming
- Integrated Query Next on VB, C# Roadmaps
- Language Integrated Query (LINQ) could make it easier for VB and C# developers to create applications that access data in a variety of formats, but it isn't due until the 'Orcas' release of Visual Studio in 2007
- Web Services Toolkit Updated
- A new version of the Web Services Enhancement (WSE) toolkit offers updated protocol support and new GUI tools, but developers must choose between it and the upcoming Windows Communication Framework
Business Applications & Services
- Portal, E-Mail Hooks for Access
- Access 12 will deliver new features for accessing data in portals and e-mail, as Microsoft continues to promote the product for collaborative applications
- Business Framework Folds
- The Microsoft Business Framework has been dissolved and its development team reorganized; some of the team's work will make its way into Microsoft products but other work has been scrapped
- SharePoint Portal for Navision
- A service pack for Navision moves that product's portal technology to Windows SharePoint Services and offers a .NET wrapper for Navision's data access programming interfaces
- Business Scorecard Manager Ships
- The Business Scorecard Manager 2005 Web server application tracks business performance using key performance indicators calculated from business data
Consumer Products & Services
- Services Emerge Under 'Live' Brand
- Windows Live consumer services and Office Live small business services are the first steps in a revamped strategy to capture more revenue from online services
- Casual Games Could Boost 360
- Simple, inexpensive, downloadable games are an increasingly important component of Microsoft's consumer strategy, particularly to broaden the appeal of the Xbox 360
Corporate News
- Q1'06 Results Meet Expectations
- Profit was up 24%, thanks to strong SQL Server and OEM sales, but Microsoft's consumer businesses missed expectations in Q1'06
- Muglia to Lead Server and Tools
- The effects of Microsoft's major Oct. 2005 reorganization are beginning to trickle down, as Bob Muglia takes over as head of Server and Tools
- U.S. Privacy Law Sought
- Microsoft is calling for strong U.S. legislation that will create a consistent framework for managing private data and rebuild consumer confidence in online commerce
- Small Business, Partner Groups Linked
- Small business marketing and the Microsoft Partner Program have been combined under Vice President Allison Watson
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