Very reminiscent to the period of time between when Microsoft acquired virtualization IP from Connectix Corporation and the eventual release of Microsoft Virtual Server, there has been very little news in the way of SoftGrid, the application virtualization product Microsoft acquired from Softricity less than one year ago.

However, more interesting news about the product has finally surfaced, in part because of the inquisitive audience at Microsoft's Management Summit 2007. But more to the point, the Microsoft SoftGrid team recently posted the following information on their SoftGrid Team Blog:

SoftGrid 4.1 Service Pack 1

SoftGrid 4.1 SP1 is mostly a hotfix and critical updates release, improving overall system stability and compatibility. A noteworthy improvement is the ability to sequence applications using Side by Side assemblies (aka WinSxS), including Visual Studio Express and Office 2007, among many other applications from both third party ISV's and Microsoft. Expected availability is in the second quarter of this year and the release will be made available for download as soon as test is completed. We will release the Sequencer, Desktop Client, Terminal Server Client and Server at the same time.

SoftGrid 4.2

SoftGrid 4.2 builds on the 4.1 improvements by adding Windows Vista compatibility, both on the sequencer and client. There is not going to be a 4.2 version of the Server or the Terminal Server client as the moniker 4.2 is reserved for the components adding Windows Vista compatibility. We expect a final release some time around Q3 of this year. We expect 4.1 SP1 and 4.2 to maintain parity over time, the only exception being Windows Vista compatibility in the 4.2 components.

Posted by David Marshall on March 31, 2007 04:10 PM