Popular Malaysian tech site TechARP, a source traditionally reliable in identifying Microsoft release dates, is citing a confidential source that confirms an April 2009 release for Vista’s next service pack.
According to the unnamed source, the new service pack will debut by the end of Microsoft’s 1H09 fiscal year. This date, no later than April, should herald the pack which will contain “new types of hardware and several emerging standards.”
The first beta of this service pack, our featured download of the day on October 31, already contains the following features:
- Windows Vista SP2 adds Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches.
- Windows Vista SP2 contains the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology.
- Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista.
- Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration.
- Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.
When it comes to official lines, Microsoft blogger and employee Mike Nash cites Microsoft’s continued commitment to improving Windows with service pack 2. “We are committed to continually improving Windows, and we’ve been getting some questions about the timing of the next service pack for Windows Vista,” he said in an October blog post.
As a result of that commitment, Microsoft outlined the first stage of a release schedule which started with an October 29 deployment of the fresh beta to select Technology Adoption Program participants. Nash also revealed that Microsoft’s timetable for the final iteration of the new service pack would depend on both feedback and polish. “The final release date for Windows Vista SP2 will be based on quality,” he said.
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