Confirming one of the more open secrets of the tech industry this spring, Microsoft  announced Tuesday that the launch date for Windows 7 is Oct. 22. That is several months earlier than the software giant forecast last year, when it projected a launch in the first quarter of 2010.
The likelihood of a 2009 release increased significantly this spring, when Microsoft sent out its official release candidate and hinted at a the possibility of a "holiday 2009 launch." The actual release will be some weeks ahead of even that optimistic target.
News of the formal launch date broke Tuesday in Ina Fried's Beyond Binary column on Cnet, following an interview she did with Microsoft Senior Vice President Bill Veghte.
According to Veghte, Fried said, "the feedback from the release candidate has been good." In a separate interview with Fried, Phil McKinney, head of HP 's computer unit, went even farther: "We're locked and loaded for the launch," he said. "The quality of code is just absolutely stellar."
Lucky 7?
One hint of a possible fall launch showed up in the inboxes of Windows 7 beta testers Monday. Stephen Rose Sr., community manager for the Microsoft Windows Client IT Pro Division, and the editor of Microsoft's Springboard Insider Series newsletter, warned testers that the functionality of the beta software will end this summer.
"Please be aware," Rose said, "that the Windows 7 beta expires on Aug. 1 and that, beginning July 1, your machine will reboot every two hours (nice reminder, huh?)."
Microsoft's accelerated schedule for the release of Windows 7 is a clear sign of the company's eagerness to give customers and tech reporters something else to talk about besides the frustrations of working with Windows Vista. The poor sales of the memory-glutton software, particularly in the business community, has allowed other operating systems, including Mac OS X and Linux , to make some impressive gains over the last two years.
If early indications hold true, Microsoft may get its wish. Preliminary reviews for the new operating system have generally been very positive.
Possible Technology Guarantee
One tricky issue that typically arises when a new operating system is released is that of upgrades for individuals who buy systems just before the new OS comes out. A significant concern for manufacturers is that consumers will delay purchases they otherwise would have made in order to get the new OS preinstalled after its release.
In her article this morning, Fried said Microsoft suggested it would be announcing a "technology guarantee" program for consumers who purchase Vista computers just before the Windows 7 launch date.
Under similar programs in the past, consumers were given a voucher for a free or discounted upgrade to the new OS, depending on how close to the launch date they purchased a computer. Fried added, however, that Microsoft hasn't determined the details of how the program might work.
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