Eric M Russell (6/10/2013)
My understanding that that the SQL Azure branch is being folded back into the SQL Server codebase, and going forward the same release of SQL Server / Azure will support intallation in a hosted cloud, a private cloud, or even on bare metal similar to what we've always had. Does anyone know different?
My understanding is the reverse. The Azure codebase was a branch, but it's become the mainline, with the box product being a branch. Things happen in Azure first (even as they're catching up with some features) and they may or may not get into the boxed product.