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Symantec is just weeks away from shipping a test version of the next major update to its Norton 360 desktop security-and-backup software, with the product expected to ship in the first quarter of 2008.

The beta of Norton 360 Version 2.0 includes a number of changes designed to make the product easier to use, such as new QuickTask Menus from the main user interface and streamlined navigational settings, company officials said.

In the same vein, Symantec has expanded backup options to include support for Blu-Ray discs and iPods. Multiple PCs can also now be backed up to a shared driver as well.

Making the software easier to use was a key development theme, said Mark Kanok, Symantec's senior product manager of Norton 360. In fact, Symantec considers about one-third of all the users of the current version of Norton 360 to be technically advanced.

Version 2.0 also features a home network map that checks the status of wireless security, maps connected devices and provides expert advice to help users manage network security settings.

Other enhancements were made around the product's tune-up capabilities, including a new diagnostic report to simplify system troubleshooting and the ability to clean unnecessary registry files to improve performance.

The product also includes a secure password vault and form auto-fill to protect users against online fraud, and extends Web site authentication capabilities to Firefox.

Norton 360 v.2 will also include the Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response (SONAR) technology, which identifies new forms of malware by analyzing its behavior, as well as the Norton Identity Safe software, designed to protect against phishing attacks.

According to Jeff Kyle, group product manager for Norton 360, Symantec is also working on the second-string features found in the Add-On Pack. They'll be looking to improve antispam accuracy and enhance the parental control features. However, these changes won't be included in the beta test.