[The articles below were posted between May 29, 2006 and Jun. 19, 2006 and appear in the July 2006 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]
Windows & Mobile
- Free! Software Certification Tightened for Vista
- More stringent application logo guidelines for Vista aim to help customers identify applications that run well on Vista, but existing applications may need revision to qualify
- Windows Vista Setup Eases Deployment
- Windows Vista will use image-based setup to make installation and upgrades faster and more reliable, but creating and managing images still requires considerable resources
- WinHEC Promotes Upcoming Releases
- Updates on Windows hardware technologies and betas of the next versions of Office, Windows client, and Windows server highlighted WinHEC 2006
- Vista Advisor and Logos Help Users Upgrade
- A tool and updates to the Windows Logo program could help customers find products that will work with Windows Vista
- Softricity Acquisition Paves Way to OS Virtualization
- By acquiring Softricity, Microsoft gains an infrastructure for deploying and running client applications that is more reliable and manageable than what it can offer today
- Vista and Longhorn Hit Beta 2 Milestone
- Although the final versions of Windows Vista and Windows 'Longhorn' Server will be released to customers at different times, betas are available via MSDN and TechNet
- June 2006 Security Updates
- In addition to the patches released on June 2006's 'Patch Tuesday,' Microsoft provided information on the success of its malicious software removal tool and clarification on Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications
Sales & Support
- Free! Premier Support Offerings Refined
- Premier support is changing as Microsoft shifts to hourly pricing and develops more specialized offerings, including some that partners may be able to offer
- Second Managed Services Customer
- The XL Capital group joins Energizer Holdings as Microsoft's second managed services customer
Server Platforms
- Enterprise Search Strategy Refined
- In 2007, customers will have more enterprise search choices than ever with the introduction of a new desktop search client, SharePoint Server 2007, and Windows Vista
- Acquisition to Boost VPN Features
- Acquisition of Whale Communications could give a future version of Microsoft's Internet Security and Acceleration Server new Secure Sockets Layer virtual private network capabilities
Development Tools & Programs
- Team System Extended to Database Pros
- A new addition to Visual Studio Team System brings change management and automated testing to database professionals and could help IT developers better communicate and collaborate with database administrators
- Windows Live Gadgets SDK
- The first SDK for building Windows Live Gadgets has been released, but significant platform changes are planned, so developers should tread with caution
Business Applications & Services
- Duet Delivers Office Client for SAP
- Duet 1.0, co-developed by Microsoft and SAP, offers self-service access to the mySAP ERP application via Outlook, but partners must wait for subsequent releases to extend or customize Duet
- Word 2007 Tackles Academics, Forms
- Word 2007 won't change anyone's mind about the Office 2007 suite, but it could benefit scientists, bloggers, and developers
- Axapta Exits Wave One
- Dynamics AX 4.0 (formerly known as Axapta) ships a Windows SharePoint Services—based portal, an Outlook-like interface, and supports Reporting Services, but some advertised features will not be available at release
- Lawyers Quash Office PDF
- Printing to Adobe PDF files will not be enabled in Office 2007 by default, but the feature will be available as a free download
- Office, SharePoint, Project Betas
- The 2007 versions of the Office suite and the SharePoint and Project product lines are now available for beta testing
Consumer Products & Services
- OneCare Security Product Released
- Consumers can purchase the first version of Microsoft's PC health monitoring product, Windows Live OneCare, from its Web site or computer retailers
- Plug-In Adds Maps to Outlook
- Windows Live Local, Microsoft's newest mapping Web site, adds Outlook integration, traffic data, and a new SDK for developers, among other features
- Mail Client to Include Search, Ads
- Active Search, a feature planned for the Windows Live Mail Desktop e-mail client, will suggest searches and display text advertisements based on words in users' e-mail messages
- Web Cams Link to Messenger
- New Web cameras from Microsoft Hardware will encourage use of Windows Live Messenger and could dent MSN's partnership with Logitech
- Xbox 360 Update
- A downloadable software update improves features and fixes bugs with the Xbox 360 console, but gamers must connect to Xbox Live to get it
Corporate News
- Gates Stepping Down
- Bill Gates has transferred his Chief Software Architect position to Ray Ozzie and will move to a part-time advisory position by June 2008
- Office Duties Split in New Organization
- Recent organizational changes include replacements for longtime leaders in the Office and Microsoft TV groups, and a shuffle of executives in the U.S. small and midmarket sales team
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