Microsoft updates collaboration test software

Microsoft is forging ahead with new development software that can link Web services to offline applications, among other things.

The Microsoft Sync Framework, when integrated into applications, lets Web services be used offline and can synchronize music, videos, images, and other files between PCs and devices.

Microsoft has released a new test build of its software as a community technology preview.

The software has built-in support for synchronizing relational databases and file systems, including Microsoft's NTFS and FAT, between devices over any network.

While Microsoft doesn't specify where the software might be used in its own product lineup, it could make for an interesting companion to an offline-compatible version of Silverlight that company execs say will eventually debut.