As I blogged previously, Microsoft quietly released the latest version ("Wave D") of its Windows Intune cloud-based management and security service in mid-December 2012.

The newest version seems to be available only to new, not existing, customers at this point in time. Microsoft is training some of its partners about the new release in the coming days. Supposedly, the actual "launch" of the new release could be on or around January 13, according to my contacts.

But just because customers can't yet get their hands on the new version doesn't mean they can't start learning more about what's changed in the new Intune version.

Microsoft posted to its Download Center over the past few days some potentially useful documents for those curious about Wave D:

What's New in Windows Intune

Windows Intune Getting Started Guide

Managing Windows Phone 8 With Windows Intune

Windows Phone 8 Company Portal App (for sideloading)

The newest version of Windows Intune allows for management of Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows Phone 8, iOS-based phones and tablets and Android phones. (The Android management is less robust than the others at this point.)

With this release, users can choose to manage their mobile devices either through Intune in the cloud or via Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager with SP1 by using a new Windows Intune connector. ( System Center 2012 SP1 went final in December and was added to the volume price list recently.)

Microsoft modified the pricing and licensing for Windows Intune with the latest release, providing a $6 per user per month version (with no Software Assurance rights and no Windows Enterprise license) for use for managing up to five devices.

Windows Intune, when it debuted in 2011, was a PC-management and security service (as opposed to a PC and device management service). It was codenamed "Florida," and was the realization of the never-delivered System Center Online Desktop Manager product.