14 DAY TRIAL // After Windows Millennium, Microsoft adopted a completely new strategy at that time, deciding to release consumer and pro versions of its Windows operating systems simultaneously, thus providing both end users and companies with new products at the same time.
According to a report by ZDNet, Redmond might be changing its release cycle as soon as the next full Windows rollout which is scheduled to take place in early 2015.
Terry Myerson, the Microsoft executive vice president, said at the Credit Suisse 2013 Technology Conference that consumers and IT pros in charge of large companies might have different needs when it comes to the pace at which operating systems are being released to the market.
While outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer has often talked about a rapid release cycle, saying that Microsoft wants to bring new products to the market as fast as possible, it turns out that this strategy might be different as far as companies are concerned.
If the plan is indeed approved by the board of directors, Windows 9 and Windows 9 Pro could be released at separate times, mostly because IT professionals believe that every version of the operating system needs longer testing sessions in order to make sure that it’s safe to deploy it on all computers within their companies.
Some previous reports indicated that Windows 9 could be codenamed Threshold and could hit the market in early 2015, one year after Redmond officially introduces the first large update for Windows 8.1.
Rumor has it that Windows 9 will continue Microsoft’s focus on touch features, with the emphasis to be put on the Modern UI and tablets. The desktop will, of course, be improved as well, with Microsoft promising to make the upcoming operating system able to provide a seamless experience across multiple devices.