14 DAY TRIAL // One way to ensure that there will never again be a five year gap between Windows releases, as with XP and Vista, is for Microsoft to start work on a new iteration of its platform even before the latest version is finalized.
This happened with Windows 8, which the software giant confirmed that it started planning for as early as the summer of 2009.
For those not exactly keeping track, Windows 7 launched in late 2009. Vista’s successor was released to manufacturing in mid-2009, so even as it was putting the finishing touches on Windows 7, Microsoft was already looking forward to Windows 8.
“We started planning Windows 8 during the summer of 2009 (before Windows 7 shipped). From the start, our approach has been to reimagine Windows, and to be open to revisiting even the most basic elements of the user model, the platform and APIs, and the architectures we support. Our goal was a no compromise design,” revealed Steven Sinofsky, the President of the Windows and Windows Live Division.
This piece of information was no secret, but it’s always good to hear an official confirmation. At the same time, I distinctly remember that Microsoft employees started talking about Windows 8 well ahead of the summer of 2009.
“Windows 8 Already Cooking, Beyond Windows 7” is an article I wrote back in March of the year of Windows 7’s launch, a few months ahead of the operating system’s RTM.
Windows 8 will be launched sometime by the end of 2012, although the exact release deadline is still unknown.
But with Microsoft starting to plan early for its predecessor, this could mean that Windows 9 planning will also start next year, ahead of Windows 8’s RTM. This being said, it’s simply too early to start thinking about Windows 9 now, especially with BUILD coming up, and Windows 8 starting to move into the spotlight.