Longhorn schedule worked out for first half of 2006
WinNetMag | at | by Mike
Months of customer complaints have finally had an effect on Microsoft: This week, the software giant acknowledged that it will deliver its next major Windows version on a set schedule, ending years of vague delivery times and glacial, research-like development. The slow move to a concrete timetable started last month when Microsoft chairman Bill Gates--who stepped down as CEO specifically to have a more hands-on role with Longhorn--said that conjectures about a 2006 release for the product were "valid." This week, however, internal documentation from the company, corroborated by Microsoft representatives, pins the Longhorn release date more succinctly during "the first half of 2006." And the oft-delayed Beta 1 release--originally due in late summer 2005--will ship in mid-February 2005, according to documentation I've seen.