Azure updates
Get the latest updates on Azure products and features to meet your cloud investment needs. Subscribe to notifications to stay informed.
RSS feedMay 2022
Public preview: Azure Synapse Link for SQL
Synapse Link for SQL enables seamless near-real-time data movement from relational sources to analytical stores without the need to build ETL pipelines.
April 2022
Generally available: Database templates in Azure Synapse Analytics
Azure Synapse database templates are industry-specific schema definitions that provide a standardized way for you to store and shape data, enabling rapid digital transformation.
March 2022
Public preview: Intelligent cache for Apache Spark in Azure Synapse
Target availability: Q1 2022
Accelerate Apache Spark in Azure Synapse execution speed using the new intelligent cache feature.
Azure Data Lake Analytics will be retired on 29 February 2024
Target retirement date: February 29, 2024
Migrate to Azure Synapse Analytics.
Public preview: Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB partitioning Spark 3.1
Use Azure Synapse Spark 3.1 to partition your Azure Cosmos DB data in analytical store for improved query performance.
November 2021
Dynamic allocation for Apache Spark in Azure Synapse now generally available
Expanded options for autoscale for Apache Spark in Azure Synapse are now available through dynamic allocation of executors.
General availability: Copy data to/from Azure Data Explorer using Azure Data Factory or Synapse Analytics
Mapping Data Flows provides scale-out data transformation in the cloud in Azure Data Factory and Azure Synapse Analytics. With these additional connectors, you can build ETL patterns at Spark scale in a code-free design environment without ever touching the Spark compute. Azure Integration Runtimes allow you to define the Spark environment and provide a serverless Spark compute for your data transformation pipelines.
Hardware-accelerated pools now in public preview for Apache Spark on Azure Synapse Analytics
Speed up big data processing in Azure Synapse with hardware-accelerated Spark pools.
General availability: New Azure Data Explorer output plugin for Telegraf
This new output plugin allows you to write telemetry collected by any of the input plugins of Telegraf directly into Azure Data Explorer e.g. it makes SQL monitoring at scale better and affordable.
Public preview: Near real-time analytics for telemetry, time series, and log data on Azure Synapse
Azure Synapse data explorer is optimized for efficient log analytics, using powerful indexing technology to automatically index structured, semi-structured, and free-text data commonly found in telemetry data.
Additional ML options for Spark on Azure Synapse now in public preview
Save time and reduce risk when batch scoring in Azure Synapse Analytics with the new PREDICT keyword.
Public preview: Industry-aware analytics with database templates in Azure Synapse
Database templates in Azure Synapse enable you to integrate and shape data from across multiple internal and external sources. This helps you eliminate data silos and accelerate building analytics-infused applications for your specific industry.
Azure Synapse Link for Azure Cosmos DB: Custom partitioning support in public preview
Partition your data in analytical store using keys that are critical for your business logic to achieve better query and data load performance.
October 2021
Querying Delta Lake files using T-SQL in Azure Synapse Analytics is generally available
Querying Delta Lake format using the T-SQL language in Azure Synapse is generally available.
Announcing Azure Synapse Analytics pre-purchase plans, now generally available
You can now save up to 28 percent on Azure Synapse workloads without sacrificing flexibility with Azure Synapse pre-purchase plans.
September 2021
General availability: Enable hierarchical namespace for existing Azure Storage accounts
Target availability: Q4 2021
Accelerating value through data analytics by enabling the Azure Data Lake Storage hierarchical namespace for existing Azure Storage accounts is now generally available. The benefits of the ADLS hierarchical namespace in providing enhanced performance and features that are dedicated to maximizing the value of data analytics is well established. You can now get this benefit for existing accounts and data by enabling the hierarchical namespace in place.
Azure Purview is now generally available
The Azure Purview Data Map and Data Catalog are generally available.
Apache Spark 3.1 for Azure Synapse Analytics now generally available
The latest version of the open-source Apache Spark is now available in Azure Synapse Analytics Apache Spark pools.
August 2021
Azure Synapse Analytics Compute Optimized data flows will be retired on 31 August 2024
Target retirement date: August 31, 2024
Transition from Compute Optimized data flows to General Purpose data flows by 31 August 2024.
June 2021
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen1: Account creation will be blocked for new customers starting July 5, 2021
Target retirement date: July 05, 2021
Take advantage of Azure Data Lake Storage Gen 2 for all of your analytic needs after July 5, 2021.
Azure at Microsoft Build
Get answers to your questions from Microsoft and Community experts.
Community supportRead commonly asked questions on Azure updates.
FAQFind the latest news, updates, and resources for Azure partners.
Azure Partner ZoneTell us what you think of Azure and what you want to see in the future.
Provide feedbackAzure is available in more regions than any other cloud provider.
Check product availability in your region