A window into Microsoft's plans
Speaking at a Microsoft developer conference in Japan, Steve Ballmer let slip an interesting snippet of information: not only should we see the "next generation of Windows systems" next year, but we can also expect talk of Windows 8 to pick up towards the end of this one.
While talking of the success of Windows 7, Ballmer added that: "And yet as we look forward to the next generation of Windows systems, which will come out next year, there's a whole lot more coming. As we progress through the year, you ought to expect to hear a lot about Windows 8. Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different form factors."
There's precious little information there, but it confirms what many have suspected; that Microsoft will be looking to an integrated tablet and PC experience in the next version of its operating system. The distinction between slates and tablets is a little curious, as Ballmer didn't provide any clarification as to how Microsoft differentiates the two - we'd expect form factor to be the key, but at what size a tablet becomes a slate is anyone's guess at this point.
Ballmer's commentary also suggests that Microsoft is keen to stick to a more rapid release cycle than Windows has historically had. While there was a six year gap between XP and the wildly unpopular Vista, Windows 7 was pushed out in just two years. An early 2012 launch for Window 8 would put it on a similar timeline and, with Windows Phone 8 also on the way later this year, give Microsoft a consolidated 8th generation OS line-up across all the platforms is makes an OS for.
