According to sources, following the official release of the final version of Windows Live OneCare 2.5, Microsoft sent out a flurry of e-mails to its testers. First off, the software giant reminded its testers that the 2.5 Beta will expire on July 31, 2008, after which OneCare will no longer keep itself up to date (both virus definitions and the actual software). Testers are urged to uninstall the beta and buy a full subscription, which is offered to them at a discounted $24.95 a year for up to three PCs, until July 31, 2008.
With the beta wrapping up, Microsoft quickly sent out another e-mail to certain testers asking if they wanted to continue to test new versions of the software. If the answer was yes, Microsoft responded with a confirmation and then the next day, e-mailed that tester the details of the Windows Live OneCare Perpetual Beta program, an invite-only group. Version 2.5 was all about under-the-hood improvements but based on what my source tells me about the Perpetual Beta, it seems that Microsoft is now satisfied with the program"s performance and is focusing on new features and functionality.