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MIX is an intimate opportunity for cutting-edge technical, creative and business strategists to engage Microsoft in a conversation about the future of the web. MIX 2008 is at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Las Vegas, March 5-7, 2008

Here are some of Microsoft’s latest news topics: (click on links to learn more about each topic)

Microsoft Research projects – these aren’t products, but they could contribute to the company’s future products.

• SearchTogether, is an Internet Explorer plugin that puts a sidebar into the browser. It’s meant for collaborating on multiple computers, possibly in different locations. In the sidebar, each person can see and follow the Web searches that a friend or co-worker has conducted related to their project or common interest. It uses a Windows Live ID login.
• CoSearch, is designed for collaborative searching on a single computer. For example, a person using a mobile phone in the room can control a cursor on the computer screen to click on a link and transfer the result to the phone, even as the people using the PC follow a different link.
• WorldWide Telescope
• Singularity (research operating system available for free download to academics and researchers)

Internet Explorer (IE) 8: features WebSlices and Activities – Internet Explorer (IE) 8, a first beta of which Microsoft is preparing to show off at its Mix ‘08 conference this week, includes a number of new features, including WebSlices and Activities.

For more information about IE8 visit IE 8 Beta page, demo of IE8 and interview with Matt Lapsen, and architecture of IE8 over Channel 9.

To install Internet Explorer 8, downloads available on IE8 beta readiness toolkit page  [Internet Explorer 8 can be installed on Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2]

Microsoft releases Expressions Studio 2 Beta – designed to work seamlessly with Visual Studio, enabling designers and developers to collaborate on the creation of better user experiences. Key new features of Expression Studio 2 include PHP support in Expression Web and support for Silverlight in Expression Web, Expression Blend, Expression Media Encoder and Expression Design. To enable designers to start immediately exploring the power of Silverlight 2, Microsoft also announced the availability of Expression Blend 2.5 March 2008 Preview. Visit  Expression Studio 2 Beta

Microsoft releases new test build of its online-offline synchronization tool – Microsoft has posted for public download a new test build of its synchronization framework that allows Web services, devices and applications to work offline. Microsoft made available the Community Technology Preview (CTP) 2 test build of the Microsoft Sync Framework via its Downloads Site on March 4, the first day of its Microsoft Mix ‘08 conference in Las Vegas. As described on the Downloads site, Sync Framework not only adds online-offline sync to services, but also “provides optimized P2P sync of any type of file including contacts, music, videos, images and settings. The Sync Framework works on Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Service Pack 3.

Micorosoft Silverlight on Nokia phones – Nokia to bring Microsoft Silverlight powered experiences to millions of mobile users 

Office Live Workspace Beta available worldwide – Microsoft Announces Worldwide Availability of Office Live Workspace Beta

MSN Toolbar beta – If you want to signup to use the beta, you can now do so on Microsoft Connect (limited number).  MSN provides pre-selected content access, Windows Live provides access to information and services you care about

Source: multiple, see links within article