While Microsoft is getting ready to talk about Windows 7 at the PDC next week, the company provided today an update on its latest work for Windows Vista, that will include support for Blu-ray recording. Microsoft will release the first beta version of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista to a small group of Technology Adoption Program customers for evaluation next Wednesday, October 29.

According to Windows 7 corporate VP Mike Nash, "...the final release date for Windows Vista SP2 will be based on quality."

Windows Vista SP2 Beta contains previously released fixes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues. Microsoft expects Windows Vista SP2 to retain compatibility with applications that run on Windows Vista and Windows Vista SP1 and are written using public APIs.

Windows Vista SP2 also contains changes focused on supporting new types of hardware and adding support for several emerging standards. The SP2 adds Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches, it contains the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology, supports the VIA 64-bit CPU and adds the ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media. However, Microsoft did not specify whether a revised Windows Media Player would play Blu-ray movie discs.

Other improvements of the Vista SP2 include support for Windows Connect Now (WCN) that simplifies Wi-Fi Configuration. Windows Vista SP2 will also and enable the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.

Final version of the Windows Vista Sp2 is expected to be released in the first half of 2009, according to Microsoft.