Developers using ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 can build interfaces with reusable AJAX components and enhance existing Web pages with AJAX controls. They also can access remote services and data from a browser without writing a lot of complicated script, Microsoft said. Additionally, developers can use the AJAX software with Visual Studio, but Visual Studio is not a requirement.

ASP.Net AJAX 1.0 will be included in the upcoming Orcas version of Visual Studio, but Microsoft has set no release date yet for Orcas.

ASP.Net 2.0 AJAX Extensions will be available under the to enable developers to view code to aid with application debugging, maintenance, and interoperability. The reference license lets developers refer to source code, but it does not allow the code to be redistributed.

Microsoft contends users of ASP.Net AJAX get more business value from Web sites because they can deliver differentiated, relevant experiences to customers.

At the Microsoft TechEd 2006 conference in Boston last June, an official at a .Net consulting firm said Atlas in development. The Update Panel feature, for easily doing incremental page refreshes, was cited as having reliability problems.