[The articles below were posted between Jan. 9, 2006 and Jan. 23, 2006 and appear in the February 2006 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Windows & Mobile

User Account Control to Limit Vista Exploits

Vista's User Account Control will allow users to run with the least privileges required to perform a task, but application changes may also be necessary to improve Windows security

Windows XP Supported Beyond Vista

Windows XP editions, including both the Home and Professional Editions, will be supported for two years after the release of Vista

Jan. 2006 Security Updates

Two critical Jan. 'Patch Tuesday' patches start off the list of 2006 patches, along with an 'out-of-band' patch for a critical vulnerability that raised questions about how thorough previous code reviews have been

Server Platforms

New Web Client for Live Communication Server

A free Web-based client for Live Communication Server 2005 supplements, but does not fully replace, the Office Communicator 2005 desktop client

Renewed Push to Lure Notes/Domino Customers

New and updated migration tools and guidance could induce more Notes/Domino customers to migrate to Exchange and SharePoint

Development Tools & Programs

ASP.NET to Support AJAX Development

The next version of ASP.NET will support AJAX—an emerging Web technology that could make browser applications more interactive and responsive without requiring plug-ins such as Flash

SQL Server Supports Java Clients

A new JDBC driver from Microsoft allows Java applications to access data stored in SQL Server 2000 and 2005

WPF Tools Previewed

The first preview of Microsoft's developer tools for Windows Vista and WinFX is available for download

Business Applications & Services

New Features, Licensing for CRM Product

Released Dec. 2005, version 3.0 of Microsoft's CRM product adds marketing and service management and licensing for service providers; however, it integrates with only one of Microsoft's ERP products

Dynamics GP Adds Integration to Great Plains

Dynamics GP 9.0 adds new portal features and a role-based user interface, and a new Web services API will also ship; however, merging the product with its MBS siblings will be tricky

First Industry Builder Solutions Ship

Five Axapta-based solutions were delivered via Microsoft's Industry Builder initiative, which certifies MBS partner solutions; the program may ultimately include other products

Developer Docs for Outlook CRM

Documentation and sample code from a Microsoft internal project could help developers customize Outlook as a 'smart client' for corporate data

Office for Mac to Be Improved

Microsoft will continue Office for Mac development for at least five years, and a Mar. 2006 update will support several recent Mac OS technologies

Retailer Software Upgraded

Retail Management System 1.3 features performance improvements and better credit card security; Microsoft Point of Sale is now preinstalled by some hardware OEMs

Consumer Products & Services

Devices, Services Highlighted at 2006 CES

While Microsoft still hopes to position the PC as a home entertainment device, at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show the company promoted other services and devices that don't require a PC

Bach to Oversee Entertainment Strategy

A reorganization at the end of 2005 gives Entertainment and Devices President Robbie Bach more control over the company's digital media strategy, including online music and video services

Sales & Support

Life Cycle Includes Last Patches

The support life cycle has been amended so that products leaving support get the latest available patches

Corporate News

MSNBC, Jupiter Divestments

Owning content and broadband infrastructure is no longer core to Microsoft's strategy, and the company is divesting accordingly