Microsoft has begun work on the second service packs for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008. The company is aiming to deliver SP2 for both the client and server platforms before it releases Windows 7.

The company has delivered a beta version of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 to select hardware and software vendors, this is the same way it has been providing early builds of Windows 7.   In addition, Microsoft has also put up a place holder Knowledge Base article on October 2, 2008 regarding the forthcoming SP2 betas.

While we have not heard anything from current testers of the beta version of SP2 for Windows Vista, the feature set of SP2 is still unknown at this time. Microsoft’s goal to deliver both SP2 releases before Windows 7 should lessen confusion amongst users as to whether or not deploy both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 – or wait and for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (formerly known as Windows 7 Server). Currently Microsoft is attempting to deliver Windows 7 in the second half of 2009. In addition, the company is looking to ship Windows Server 2008 R2 in 2010, as previously stated by Microsoft.

Microsoft is also expected to deliver the first beta of Windows 7 in mid-December, according to Microsoft’s internal schedule. In reality, if Microsoft is preparing to deliver Service Pack 2 for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 before Windows 7 that sure doesn’t give them a lot of time to test the products. Judging by the timing of the Service Pack timeframe it is likely that Microsoft could deliver some of the features from Windows 7.

In an official announcement today, Microsoft has revealed the final name for the next major version of Windows.

Today, is an exciting day for anyone who has been keeping track of the next version of Windows, Microsoft has finally chosen a final name. In a few weeks, Microsoft will be demonstrating Windows 7 to attendees of it’s Professional Developers Conference. As you may have known, Microsoft has been referring to the next client version of Windows by a codename, “Windows 7”. But now, that has all changed for the first time in the history of Windows  Microsoft has ever used a codename for a version of Windows.

As of today, the next client version of Windows will officially ship as it’s codename Windows 7. While I can only think of a few cases when Microsoft has used the codename of a product for final release, this is a first for Windows. You may be wondering why Microsoft decided to use the codename as the final name.

The decision to use the name Windows 7 was primarily about simplicity. Over the years, Microsoft has taken several different approaches to naming Windows.

“We’ve used version numbers like Windows 3.11, or dates like Windows 98, or "aspirational" monikers like Windows XP or Windows Vista.  And since we do not ship new versions of Windows every year, using a date did not make sense.” Said Mike Nash in a blog post over at the Windows Vista Blog. “Likewise, coming up with an all-new "aspirational" name does not do justice to what we are trying to achieve, which is to stay firmly rooted in our aspirations for Windows Vista, while evolving and refining the substantial investments in platform technology in Windows Vista into the next generation of Windows.”

Simply put, this would be the seventh release of Windows, therefore “Windows 7” just makes sense. In addition, Microsoft will be delivering a pre-beta build of Windows 7 to attendees of its Professional Developer Conference (PDC) and at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference. The build will be targeted at developers, so it is unlikely that the community will see the build.

Microsoft today released details on an upcoming sequel to Halo 3, the highly rated Xbox 360 that was released last year. The sequel titled “Halo 3: Recon” is a stand-alone expansion that extends the award-winning “Halo 3” experience. The game is slated for a late 2009 release.

Developed by acclaimed developer Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios, the “Halo” franchise is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and is optimized for the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network. “Halo 3” was released in 37 countries and 17 languages. To date, more than 24.8 million copies of the games in the “Halo” trilogy have been sold worldwide.

The upcoming “Halo 3: Recon” release adds a new dimension to an all-encompassing universe that gamers around the world have known and loved for more than six years. The new campaign chapter predates the events that unfold in “Halo 3” and gives players a new perspective through the eyes of a new hero in the “Halo” universe. New multiplayer maps ensure that the award-winning Xbox LIVE experience of “Halo 3” continues to thrive.

Top features include the following:

·   All-new campaign content. The “Halo 3: Recon” campaign is an intriguing side story that takes place during the terrifying events leading up to the Master Chief’s return to New Mombasa in “Halo 3.” Experience the fate of Earth from the brand-new perspective of a special forces ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), adding a unique outlook and new gameplay elements to the events that unfold in the trilogy’s finale. While the feel of this new chapter will greatly resemble that of previous “Halo” experiences, “Halo 3: Recon” will require players to employ more elements of stealth and cunning than ever before.

·   A new hero: Prepare to drop. Known for their courage, valor and, at times, insanity, ODSTs are among the fiercest UNSC soldiers, priding themselves on being the first unit deployed into hostile situations. While not as large or supernaturally gifted as their Spartan comrades, these “Hell Jumpers” more than compensate with their ferocious attitudes and unwavering nerve.

·   Expanded multiplayer collection. No “Halo” experience would be complete without groundbreaking multiplayer content,* and “Halo 3: Recon” gives fans more of what they love. With exclusive new maps and full Forge options, players will find more multiplayer content than ever before with “Halo 3: Recon.”

·   Ever-growing community options. Players will continue to enjoy all the great “Halo 3” technological innovations, including Saved Films, screenshots, Campaign Scoring and four-player co-op. All of the new multiplayer maps fully support the Forge editor, offering endless gameplay customization possibilities for fans.

In addition, Microsoft also released a couple of box shots along with the announcement.

While Microsoft is hard at work on the next release of Windows Live Wave 3, the company also let out the probable release date for the forthcoming update.

According to sources, Microsoft sent an email to users of it’s MSN Direct Spot, the email stated that beginning with the September 17, 2008 beta release of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 that it would no longer be compatible with Smart Watch devices.

In addition, the email states that Microsoft will release Windows Live Messenger on February 10, 2009, at the same time the company should release the forthcoming updates for Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Writer, and the rest of the heavily updated Windows Live Suite.

Of course it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will meet the release schedule, but at least it gives us some indication of a timeline for Windows Live Wave 3 final releases.