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Is Redmond punting Vista? Completely new windows in 09.

January 19th, 2008 by James in Tech News, PC Gadgets

As a Vista user, have you often thought you ended up buying a BETA or even ALPHA copy of an OS? More and more Windows users are even going to so far as to downgrade back to XP. Well, it seems that Redmond is listening but they’re not doing what you’d expect them to do … instead, their reinventing the wheel. Again.

Engadget has a story about how Microsoft has already very quietly released Windows 7, the follow up OS to Vista, to strategic development partners with the goal of going global in 2009. Originally, the heir to Vista’s throne wasn’t due to come out until late 2010. But the word on the street is that pre release candidates may be out for download as early as April or May of THIS year for alpha and beta testing with a release date sometime in the third quarter of the following year.

If that schedule holds true, it’s a clear sign that Microsoft has already punted on the issues plaguing Vista and will probably release only casual service packs and security updates while they lock down Windows 7 to make it ready for prime time.

Either way, I wouldn’t be buying any of the 1900 versions of Vista any time soon.

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20080119/redmond-punting-vista-completely-new-windows-in-09/


Vista successor rumored to be on track for 2009 release

Posted Jan 18th 2008 by Donald Melanson - Engadget

Rumors of Microsoft's successor to Vista have been cropping up virtually since day one, and if this latest one is to be believed, it looks like one of the earliest may have been right on target after all. According to TG Daily, "several industry sources" are now saying that the a very early version of the so-called "Windows 7" OS has already shipped to "key partners," and that Microsoft is now eying the second half of 2009 for a release of the real deal.

That's a slight revision from the most recent rumors, which had pegged the debut as late as 2010 or, more vaguely, sometime within the next three years. As if that wasn't enough, Microsoft's apparently also lined up the next two early versions to be released, with the so-called M2 build slated for April or May of this year, and the M3 release slated to drop sometime in the third quarter. Given recent history, however, it's probably not the best idea to start marking your calendars just yet.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/18/vista-successor-rumored-to-be-on-track-for-2009-release/