It is only weeks since Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates outlined a vision for "seamless computing" at COMDEX Las Vegas 2003. But the technology breakthroughs behind that vision -- of software that breaks down the barriers between people, systems and information -- have shaped many of the products and services Microsoft released in 2003. It also will prove vital to many releases slated for 2004 and in coming years.

Many of 2003's most notable Microsoft releases -- ranging from the Windows Server 2003 to the Visual Studio .NET 2003 development system -- rely heavily on XML Web services and other standards to evolve toward a seamless computing experience, one in which applications can access and share data across multiple form factors and computing platforms. That vision also is at the heart of the next version of the Windows operating system, code-named "Longhorn," which Microsoft first previewed for software developers in October this year, as well as the next version of Visual Studio, code-named "Whidbey" and expected to be delivered to developers in beta version in 2004.

To provide additional insight into how Microsoft is working to advance its products and services and transform the computing experience, PressPass has compiled a summary of the company's 2003 highlights and anticipated news in 2004: