Microsoft has for the first time strayed away from the vagaries of its "roughly three years after Vista" launch schedule for Windows 7 by revealing that its forthcoming operating system should be in stores for Christmas '09.
Speaking at a Microsoft Tech Ed event in North America, Bill Veghte, senior vice president of the Windows business at Microsoft, provided an update on Windows 7 availability by stating "with early RC testing and extensive partner feedback we’ve received, Windows 7 is tracking well for holiday availability."
The news will come as little surprise to many, as Microsoft's swift transition from Beta to RC has led many to believe that the retail launch is just a matter of months away.
Despite the admission, Microsoft remains tight-lipped in regards to Windows 7 pricing. What we do have, however, is a highly-suspect leak of what a Polish website claims to be the final Windows 7 box art. Real or not? We're not so sure.
In other Microsoft-related news, the software giant has confirmed that it will ship a Technical Preview of Microsoft Office 2010 in July. The release will be a limited, invitation only program but users are able to register to be considered. Interested readers can click here to request to be waitlisted for the Technical Preview.
