[The articles below were posted between Feb. 27, 2006 and Mar. 20, 2006 and appear in the April 2006 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]
Windows & Mobile
- Free! More Editions in Windows Vista
- Five main editions of Windows Vista with installation options for 32- and 64-bit processors will target consumers and businesses
- IE7 Updates Security, Features
- The first release of Internet Explorer since 2001 includes significant security enhancements and feature improvements that bring it to parity with other browsers
- Windows OneCare Live Details Emerging
- A second beta release and pricing announcements position Windows OneCare Live for release in June 2006, but Microsoft will have to outdo competitors in convincing users to subscribe annually
- Gates Outlines Future Security Vision
- Bill Gates used his Feb. 2006 RSA keynote to outline a future vision for security and a more trusted computing environment, but realizing his vision will take time and industry cooperation
- Communicator Goes Mobile
- A new IM and VoIP client for Windows Mobile devices will allow users of those devices to participate in Live Communication Server 2005 systems
- Windows Vista Feature Complete
- Although the Feb. 2006 Windows Vista Community Technology Preview is feature complete and includes all of Windows Vista's planned features, those features may change substantially before final release
- Tools Support Vista Migration
- Utilities gained in the acquisition of Apptimum enable users to move applications, patches, settings, and data from an existing PC to a new one—particularly valuable for Windows Vista installations
- Retail Embedded Software Updated
- An update has shipped for Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS), Microsoft's specialized OS for point-of-sale terminals, retail kiosks, self-checkout systems, and similar devices
- Mar. 2006 Security Updates
- One critical patch to address a security bug in Office and a patch that hardens the security of Windows Services were released on the Mar. 2006 'Patch Tuesday'
Consumer Products & Services
- Free! Windows Live Search, Other Updates
- Interface improvements might not be enough to help Windows Live Search catch the competition; Microsoft has acquired Onfolio and will incorporate its content-organization tools into the Windows Live Toolbar
- Desktop Client for Windows Live Mail
- A new desktop client will give users offline access to Windows Live Mail (the successor to Hotmail) and could pave the way for other advertising-supported consumer software
- Ultraportables Previewed
- Unveiled after several weeks of media speculation, Ultra-Mobile PCs (code-named Origami) occupy an unproven market niche between handheld devices and laptop computers
- Mobile Digital Media Deals
- Two wins for Microsoft's Windows Media platform in the mobile space could help the company compete with Apple for portable digital media players and underlying technology platforms
Server Platforms
- ISA Server 2006 in Beta
- Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, now in beta, adds modest improvements that ease administration and boost versatility, but a major overhaul awaits the arrival of Windows 'Longhorn' Server in 2007
- New Business Tools for Next Commerce Server
- Faster business user tools and improved BizTalk integration highlight Commerce Server 2006 Beta 1; however, existing Commerce Server site code must be modified to run on the new release
Development Tools & Programs
- FoxPro Gets Another Update
- A preview of the next version of Visual FoxPro shows improvements in .NET interoperability, but Microsoft continues to strongly encourage customers to move to VB or C#
- FrontPage Becomes SharePoint Authoring Tool
- SharePoint Designer and Web Designer signal the demise of FrontPage, Microsoft's Web content authoring tool, and could spell the end of Microsoft's support for Web development for non-Windows platforms
Business Applications & Services
- Office Front End for Dynamics AX, CRM
- Free programs from Microsoft Business Solutions allow workers to access Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM from Office; however, the programs are not supported by Microsoft
Sales & Support
- Managed Services Beginning to Gel
- A contract to manage desktop PCs at Energizer Holdings has helped Microsoft refine its management tools but leaves partners concerned about competition from Microsoft
- U.S. Previews Financial Services Strategy
- Microsoft has built a specialized sales force in the United States to help partners sell to banking, securities, and insurance customers; the initiative could eventually expand worldwide
- People-Ready Business Campaign Launched
- The People-Ready Business marketing campaign will pitch the importance of desktop applications in preparation for the launches of Windows Vista and Office 2007
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