SQL Server 2012 has been released to manufacturing and to mark the occasion Microsoft is hosting a Virtual Launch Event.

SQL Server 2012 has been released to manufacturing (RTM), and there’s an evaluation version available for download that you can try for six months.

The virtual launch of SQL Server is also happening March 7th-8th with Microsoft is showing off the features of the new edition. If you've missed it in realtime, the videos of  the keynotes from Ted Kummert and Quentin Clark and of short demos of key features are available on www.sqlserverlaunch.com.

Showing its usual lack of irony, Microsoft says SQL Server should become generally available on April 1st.

Microsoft has made a wide variety of drivers and clients available for download for SQL Server, including Microsoft JBDC  Driver 4.0 for SQL Server, SQL Server ODBC Driver 1.0 for Linux, and the free Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express.

Microsoft has also disclosed that it will release a new, limited preview of the Apache Hadoop-based Services for Windows Azure in the first half of 2012. If you’re interested in signing up for the preview more details are available on the Windows Azure site.

More Information

SQL Server 2012 Virtual Launch

SQL Server 2012 Evaluation Microsoft Download Center

Apache Hadoop-based Services for  Windows Azure

Related Articles

First Release Candidate of SQL Server 2012

SQL Server releases (Denali) available

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