Microsoft Delays Windows Vista Again

[george]

Microsoft delays Windows Vista again

SEATTLE: -- Microsoft announced this morning (Thailand time) that it was delaying the consumer release of its next-generation Windows Vista operating system until at least January, 2007.

Vista was already two years late when the decision was announced.

Microsoft said it needed more time "to enhance security and other functions". The decision is a blow to Microsoft partners who were looking forward to a new operating system to boost holiday sales.

Windows will be released in two stages, a shipment to businesses in November this year, and a release to consumers in 2007, said James Allchin, co-president of the division in charge of Windows. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft had planned to release the product by the holiday shopping season.

He said the decision to delay the release came after Microsoft realized that Vista would be completed several weeks later than originally planned, largely because of efforts to improve security in the new system.

"We set out here to do something of the highest quality that we've ever done," Allchin said on a conference call with analysts to announce the release schedule. "We just basically will keep that as our top priority."

Vista is to be the first major overhaul of Windows since Microsoft rolled out Windows XP nearly five years ago, assuming it ever is released.

Microsoft said Vista is delayed because it wants to improve overall quality, particularly in security, and that PC makers didn't want the operating system introduced in the middle of holiday sales, because a new version would create instability in the market.

Microsoft is planning six core offerings of the Vista operating system, targeting how people use computers instead of PC hardware specifications.

Three will be aimed at consumers, two at business users, and a stripped-down version for emerging markets. Unlike the current Windows XP, there will be no versions designed specifically for advanced 64-bit computing, multimedia computers or Tablet PCs.

"It's not the optimal situation, to be launching the next-generation version of Windows right after the big holdiay sales season," said analyst Joe Wilcox with Jupiter Research.

--Agencies/Bangkok Post 2006-03-22

[Wallalai]

At least M$ makes me laugh.

[cdnvic]

Microsoft delays Windows Vista again

SEATTLE: -- Microsoft announced this morning (Thailand time) that it was delaying the consumer release of its next-generation Windows Vista operating system until at least January, 2007.

Have they ever launched anything on time? Or are AOT in charge of building Vista too?

cv

[Chopper]

Microsoft delays Windows Vista again

SEATTLE: -- Microsoft announced this morning (Thailand time) that it was delaying the consumer release of its next-generation Windows Vista operating system until at least January, 2007.

Have they ever launched anything on time? Or are AOT in charge of building Vista too?

cv

Now Sony are taking lessons from M$ with the launch of PS3.

[britmaveric]

Any wagers out there for when the first security update comes out after Vista's release?