Does The Release of SP3 For Windows XP Show Crisis Of Faith?

Mere months after the release of Vista, and almost four years since SP2, Microsoft today unveiled the latest service pack for Windows XP. (You can download it here.)

SP3 covers all of SP2's bases and adds a few features from Vista to the mix:

* [Network Access Protection] NAP is a policy enforcement platform meant for enterprise use that blocks systems attempting to access a network until they meet whatever security criteria the corporation has in place. * "Black Hole" Router Detection helps detect and protect end users from a router that drops packets without returning the specified Internet Control Message Protocol response. * Microsoft Kernel Cryptographic Module incorporates cryptographic algorithms in a single module other kernel mode drivers are capable of hooking into and accessing. * The new Product Activation module allows users to install XP without entering a product key at installation.

SP3 has been expected for some time now and should come as no surprise. But what does this mean for Vista? Does the addition of Vista-exclusive features look like a dangling carrot for potential upgrading, or a concession to the fact that Windows XP remains the most popular operating system for PCs?

[via: Ars Technica]