Posted: Jan. 21, 2008

[The articles below were posted between Dec. 24, 2007 and Jan. 21, 2008 and appear in the February 2008 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]

Windows & Mobile

Free! Windows Server 2008 Packaging, Licensing, Pricing

The most commonly sold packages of Windows Server 2008 will include Hyper-V virtualization technology, and a new virtualization product will also make the technology available stand-alone

Terminal Services in Windows Server 2008

Terminal Services continues to evolve to improve the user's experience while running remote applications

Corporate and Legal

Free! Raikes Retiring from Business Division

Jeff Raikes, the mastermind of Microsoft's largest and second-most profitable business, has announced his retirement

Europe Launches New Antitrust Probes

The European Commission will investigate claims that Microsoft illegally tied Internet Explorer to Windows, and that its Office file formats (including Open Office XML) are insufficiently interoperable with competitors' products

Business Applications & Services

Dynamics CRM Adds Support for Hosters

Support for multitenant hosting makes Dynamics CRM more suitable for CRM service providers; however, Microsoft will also offer hosted CRM services in 2008

Enterprise Search Provider Acquired

The acquisition of Norway-based Fast Search and Transfer (FAST) will let Microsoft serve the high end of the enterprise search market

Web Conferencing Service Updated

The Live Meeting online service has been updated to use Microsoft's newest Web conferencing platform and has useful features for training and large meetings

Systems Management and Security

System Center Product to Manage Devices

Mobile Device Manager, a new member of the System Center product line due in the second quarter of 2008, will help IT administrators manage Windows Mobile-based smart phones

Capacity Planner Updated for Exchange 2007

System Center Capacity Planner 2007 adds support for new server roles in Exchange 2007

Application Platform

SQL Server CTP Gets Spatial Data Types

A third community technical preview of SQL Server 2008 adds tools for managing database workloads and support for geospatial data

Tools Spur Xbox Content Creation

XNA Game Studio 2.0 helps amateur developers build multiplayer Xbox 360 and Windows games; an emulator enables usage of an Xbox 360 console to test and debug HD DVDs

Consumer and Small Business

IPTV Progress Highlighted at CES

The 2008 Consumer Electronics Show did not signal any major strategy shifts, but highlighted momentum for Microsoft's existing lineup of home entertainment products

Viacom, EDGAR Sign Online Partnerships

Viacom will use advertising tools from Microsoft's recent aQuantive acquisition as part of a five-year partnership, while EDGAR will become an advertising and content partner

Sales, Marketing, and Services

Healthcare Strategy Builds on Desktop, Acquisitions

Microsoft's strategy for its healthcare technology relies heavily on pushing its existing software into new niches, combined with acquisitions that mark a new plateau in complexity for the company

Open License Subscriptions Available

A new subscription software plan for small customers could preserve cash flow and encourage them to buy more Microsoft software

Security Advisor Program Expanded

Changes to the Security Software Advisor program make many more partners eligible to sell security software and get rebates up to 30%