Microsoft Mix '08 keynote kick-off: The Cliff Notes version
Microsoft is making available as of March 5 the first beta for developers of Internet Explorer (IE) 8, as well as the first beta release of Silverlight 2.0.
IE 8 includes a number of new features, including WebSlices, Activities, a new phishing filter and improved standards support. Microsoft officials said they will make a public beta of IE 8 available today for download later today by any interested testers from the IE Web site. (Sounds like the private IE 8 Beta 1 release already has come and gone.)
Microsoft also is making available for download a first test build of its Silverlight 2 IE plug-in that is Microsoft's alternative to Adobe's Flash. Silverlight 2 is adding rich Internet application and mobile support to the entertainment content that was the focus of Silverlight 1. Silverlight 2 also will allow developers to integrate ads into Silverlight applications and sites.
Microsoft hasn't released final ship date targets for either IE 8 or Silverlight 2.
Microsoft also is readying a beta of SQL Server Data Services, a forthcoming enterprise-focused backbone service. Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie, who was the kick-off keynoter for Mix '08 mentioned the forthcoming SQL Server Data Services beta but offered no specifics on what that service will include. (I'm wondering if it might be "Blue," the Microsoft-hosted SQL Server service I've been hearing rumors of for more than a year....) Microsoft says SQL Server Data Services is not "Blue," or the hosted version of SQL Server that sources say Microsoft is developing.
Update: Here's what Microsoft is saying about SQL Server Data Services (from today's press release. "The service is designed for developers building Web-based applications that need a scalable, easily programmable and highly available utility-based data store." Microsoft is allowing Mix attendees to register for a preview build of the service. No word yet on how others can apply to be in the beta.)
Ozzie provided Mix attendees with a very high-level review of the myriad Software+Services projects underway at Microsoft. Ozzie said Microsoft will continue to embrace online advertising, to Webify its existing consumer and business products and offer users a choice of on-premise, hosted and cloud-based services. He hinted that Microsoft will have more Office Live announcements coming later this year.
Ozzie tossed out a few references to Microsoft being a player in utility computing and wanting to build connected personal, device and business "meshes." I didn't hear much else I hadn't heard him say before. Anyone else at Mix or watching the Web cast who noticed any new Ozzie-isms?