Gates Uncorks Beta 2 Versions Of Vista, Office '07, 'Longhorn' Server

The Vista beta 2 (see review) and Longhorn beta 2 are available to developers and IT professionals with TechNet subscriptions and to members of the Technology Adoption Program (TAP) and TechBeta program.

Microsoft said it isn’t yet releasing the Vista code to the general public but will make the code available through its Customer Preview Program "in the coming weeks.” Microsoft promised that a Vista beta 2 would be available in the second quarter of 2006.

The beta 2 of Office 2007, meanwhile, is now available free via download at www.microsoft.com/office/preview/.

At the start of WinHEC, Gates said the beta 2 launch of Microsoft’s “triumvirate” of next-generation platform products--Vista, Windows Server and Office 2007--will usher in a plethora of opportunities for hardware and service partners. All three products are due to ship next year.

“The key here is the ecosystem, working with partners,” Gates said, noting that the emergence of virtualization, new mobile and ultra-mobile form factors, 64-bit and multicore processors, wireless connectivity and limitless bandwidth has enabled Microsoft and its solution providers to evolve.

To that end, Microsoft demonstrated new capabilities ready for testing in Vista beta 2 and Longhorn Server, including the peer-to-peer capability called Windows Collaboration, IP telephony and new search capabilities. The Redmond, Wash., software giant also showcased improvements to Terminal Services designed to make it easier for end users to access applications securely via thin clients.

In addition, Microsoft unveiled a Certified for Windows Vista logo program for partners, a new Vista networking feature called Rally and a beta of the Windows Vista Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0. Rally is aimed at enabling quick and easy setup and connectivity for Vista-networked projectors. The tool kit, designed to help partners and customers test application compatibility before deployment and migration, marks the first time that Microsoft aligned the availability of the tool kit beta with the beta of Windows.

Virtualization, too, was a big topic in Gates' keynote. He said Microsoft’s virtualization hypervisor, due to move into beta later this year, and its newly named System Center Virtual Machine Manager will enable new scenarios on the Windows platform, including the ability to host older, legacy applications and non-Windows applications.

During the keynote, a Microsoft product manager gave the first public demonstration of the hypervisor supporting Red Hat Linux virtual machines and of a “hot add” capability that will allow customers to add a network adaptor to a virtual machine with no downtime. Microsoft said this is the first hypervisor to do that on the Windows platform.

Microsoft also said the development of Windows Server Virtualization APIs, new virtualization I/O architecture and royalty-free VHD format, as well as the System Center Virtual Machine Manager for managing and provisioning virtual machines, will expand opportunities for hardware vendors and partners.

“This is something we’re making a huge investment in," Gates said.

Gates also discussed Microsoft’s evolving Windows Live platform and FlexGo, a new initiative for allowing customers in emerging economies to buy Windows on a pay-as-you-go model and subscription basis.

He acknowledged that customers use community PCs and Internet kiosks globally, but the FlexGo option will allow customers to lease and take ownership of a PC after buying an ample number of Windows sessions using prepaid cards or through monthly subscriptions to Windows.