• On mySimon: BRITTO Butterfly Luggage
November 19, 2007 11:09 AM PST

Microsoft inches closer to XP update

by Ina Fried

Microsoft late last week released an updated test version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 to about 15,000 beta testers. The update, the third such service pack for the six-year-old operating system is due out in final form in the first half of next year. The company said before its final release it expects to issue a public test version of the service pack, though it did not provide more specificity than at "a later date."

"We are targeting (the first half of) 2008 for the release of XP SP3," Microsoft said, "though our timing will always be based on customer feedback as a first priority."

Speculation over the timing and features of the release has been going on for years. The release was initially expected as early as 2006, but was pushed out as Vista work remained the priority for the Windows team. The first service pack for Windows Vista is also due out in the first half of next year.

Both updates are focused largely on things such as bug fixes and performance improvements rather than new features.

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina.
Recent posts from Beyond Binary
Microsoft releases Exchange 2010, acquires Teamprise
Ex-Palm trio loads up on Vitamin D
Sesame Street, Droid get Google's love
Microsoft launching health tech video show
FAQ: Buying the right Windows 7 upgrade
T-Mobile says software error behind outage
T-Mobile users still reeling from outage
Microsoft cuts 800 more jobs
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
About time, too
by Seaspray0 November 19, 2007 2:21 PM PST
with 90+ updates now available between SP2 and now, I'm looking forward to seeing the new service pack.
Reply to this comment
yep
by RompStar_420 November 19, 2007 4:06 PM PST
Regardless of what Microsoft things of Vista, they also know that there is a lot of people who like XP, don't want Vista, and thus SP3 is here.

If Vista was as good as they say, no one would be using XP no more, everyone would have migrated like I have to OS X 10.5.

Ya, I am sure there will be some bugs in OS X, but that stuff works like a charm, can't say anything like that about XP or Vista.

Hell, Linux is better than those two combined.
How about returning to the future - 1998!
by Commander_Spock November 19, 2007 5:29 PM PST
"Credit: CNET Networks"

"Since Symphony was essentially an evolutionary step in Lotus' product development and was based mainly on Lotus 1-2-3, "Sheet" was its star component. As such, it was the environment entered into by default when you launched the software suite. In fact, the spreadsheet was the heart and soul of Symphony..."

http://www.news.com/2300-11386_3-6218615-6.html?tag=ne.gall.pg

Now, the so-called "housing crises and ethanol production" anyone! Cannot "REDMOND", IBM et al sit down with the "B-A-N-K-S..." and deliver on what "tools' (sheet functionalities) are really needed and not what "REDMOND" et al think they need.

Got the picture!
Reply to this comment
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

After 5 years, Firefox faces new challenges

Mozilla helped reshape the Web since releasing Firefox 1.0 five years ago. Now it's got a reawakened Microsoft and Google Chrome to reckon with.

There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone?

Almost every handset comes with mapping software these days, but standalone GPS devices are becoming more affordable than ever.

About Beyond Binary

During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft.


Beyond Binary is a look at how technology is changing our lives and the people behind all that life-changing stuff, with an extra emphasis on that which emanates from Redmond, Wash.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Beyond Binary topics

Binary Bits

    Follow Ina on Twitter (Twitter name: InaFried)
    advertisement
    advertisement

    Inside CNET News

    Scroll Left Scroll Right