Microsoft to Complete Windows 8 Development by Summer and Ship in October

Microsoft is planning to complete the development of itâ€s next generation operating system Windows 8 by this summer and planning to release Windows 8 in October of this year according to a report on Bloomberg.

As said before Microsoft will rollout the OS in both Intel and ARM powered devices at the time of the launch. The October timing would allow Microsoft to target the holiday shoppers and to compete with the recently launched Appleâ€s New iPad, according to an analyst from Gartner. “If they miss the September-October time frame, theyâ€re going to be stuck without being able to ship anything in 2012,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Stamford, Connecticut- based Gartner Inc. “The last thing Microsoft wants to have is a situation where there are no compelling Windows tablets at a time when the new iPad looks like itâ€s going to be a good seller for the holidays.”

Windows 8 is the first OS from Microsoft to run on touch screen tablets with ARM processors inside. Microsoft recently released Windows 8 consumer preview for desktop and laptops but the Windows 8 ARM version is still not released to the public.

The report also claims there will be fewer ARM devices compared to the Intel powered devices, because of the rigorous controls enforced by Microsoft. Several manufacturers are keen on releasing tablets along with the launch of Windows 8 Operating system including Nokia, Lenovo, Sony, Dell, Asus etc.

In addition to the launch of Microsoft is also planning to release nest version of its productivity suite Microsoft Office 15 at the same time. Leaked screenshots suggests that Microsoft Office 15 will the support the Metro interface of Windows 8. Microsoft Office 15 technical preview started in January and public beta is expected in this summer.

Source: Bloomberg