Microsoft's best beta testers and WinHEC participants have received an invitation for the Windows Longhorn beta program a few days ago. Beta 1 is expected to be up for grabs later this month.
They also unveiled a new Beta Client which promises to be better than the current beta management systems, and will replace other means of beta distribution, including WindowsBeta and BetaPlace all in one fell swoop.
The new beta client is called Microsoft Connect and this time each invitation contained an unique ID for each tester. A public beta is expected later this summer.