Microsoft yesterday released to a select group of testers the first beta release of Office 2007 Service Pack 1. Technology Adoption Program members should now have access to the technical preview, which is expected to last around 30 days before Microsoft could open the beta up to a wider audience.

Details about the first Office 2007 service pack remain scarce, as Microsoft officials declined to share any information on what fixes and updates are included in the pack or a final release target date for the service pack.

"We have a long history of securing feedback around future technologies from customer and partners. We have invited a very small number of customers and partners to participate in early testing of future products. We have nothing new to share around timing of future releases."