MicrosoftÂŽ .NET Micro Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is undergoing final scrutiny right now. If all goes according to plan, it should be available for download by the end of September. Check our MSDN page regularly for the SP1 download announcement.

Here are some of the new features and improvements you can expect in SP1:

• Generate bitmap fonts for your applications from the provided fonts
• Install separate developer and release versions of device firmware
• Protect devices from installation of unsigned code to their flash memory
• A new tool for creating, signing, and installing device firmware images
• Improved feedback during deployment from Visual Studio to a device
• Revised and upgraded documentation
• Fixes for several customer-reported issues

The SP1 download does not include new device firmware. If you have a development board from one of our hardware partners, check with the vendor to see when new firmware for your device will be available. New device firmware is only necessary if you wish to use flash protection.

Device Profile for Web Services
We're adding Device Profile for Web Services (DPWS) client and server support to the .NET Micro Framework. DPWS, also sometimes called Web Services on Devices (WSD), is a Web Services profile that enables a USB-like level of plug-and-play for networked devices. A PC or other device can detect DPWS-enabled devices on a network, then discover and invoke the functionality each device provides. A release date has not yet been set for this package (it is not part of Service Pack 1).

Looking Further Ahead
We're already planning the direction the .NET Micro Framework will take over the next year. Our first project is an integrated TCP/IP implementation that doesn't rely on an underlying network stack. For developers, this means more small network-enabled devices to develop on. Look for more information about these and other improvements as they take shape over the coming months.