14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is cooking the next iteration of its Application Virtualization solution for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Application Virtualization is planned to evolve from the current version 4.5 to 4.6, and the first testing builds will be delivered via Microsoft Connect by the end of March 2009. In this regard, the software giant is already accepting registrations for the App-V 4.6 Technical Adoption Program via Microsoft Connect. Access to the App-v 4.6 TAP bits is conditioned by being accepted into the Technology Adoption Program, which starts with the App-V 4.6 TAP Nomination Survey.
“If you’re interested, make sure you sign up before the closing deadline of March 24th. There aren’t a huge number of places, so if you’re interested, make sure you register quickly. You can register, and get all the information you need, over on the Connect website,” revealed Matt McSpirit, Microsoft UK partner technology specialist. “The App-V 4.6 TAP will be offered to customers/partners who will agree to the program terms specific to the product’s pre-release validation. The customers will need to deliver and engage per the program commitments. If customers do not deliver on their commitments then they will be asked to withdraw their engagement.”
Even though Microsoft already introduced support for Windows 7 Beta for App-v 4.5 with the release of the CU1 refresh, version 4.6 will in fact feature both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 under the platform support section. In addition with 4.6 Microsoft expanded platform support to encompass 64-bit. This means that App-v 4.6 will play nice with both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on 64-bit operating systems. The Redmond company is also taking the Application Virtualization solution to new levels, by expanding international support and introducing no less than 12 new localized versions.
“Participants in the App-V 4.6 TAP will partner with the App-V product team to validate the product through production deployments prior to its release. What are the benefits of being part of a TAP? Designated point of contact on the product team, regular communications with the product team, opportunity to provide feedback for both App-V 4.6 and the next App-V release, access to pre-release versions of the product and the ability to deploy into production before the product ships, and priority 24x7 product support up until the shipping of the product, plus 30 days,” McSpirit added.