The tip, incredible. The source, ironclad. Microsoft has apparently
told executives at one of the worlds largest PC makers not to
expect a formal release of Windows Vista SP1 the first major set
of upgrades and bug fixes to its Vista operating system until
2009 at the earliest. That explains why Microsoft was so desperate
to correct erroneous reports, spread by a careless team of
developers at Microsoft, that a beta version of SP1 would be out
last week. Microsoft now says it currently anticipates a beta of
SP1 later this year. Anticipations, of course, are not always met.
Especially if youre a sluggish beast like Microsoft, with
thousands of developers to keep in train on a release. And this
delay would have wide aftershocks.
The rumored delay in SP1, of course, means that it would be
impossible for Microsoft to deliver its next version of Windows by
2010, as Windows watcher Mary Jo Foley believes. At ZDNet, David
Berlind asks the smart question: Will any future version of Windows
matter, as developers and users shift to the Web? Any delays in
SP1, of course, make subsequent releases less and less
relevant.
The delays in Vista, and its lack of must-have features, have
already infuriated Microsofts most important partners, the PC
makers who preinstall most copies of Windows sold. Gianfranco
Lanci, CEO of Acer, the fourth-largest PC maker, has broken the
code of silence, telling the FT Deutschland newspaper that the
entire industry is disappointed by Vista. Historically, new
releases of Windows have provided a boost to PC sales. Not so with
Vista, Lanci contends.
The tip, incredible. The source, ironclad. Microsoft has apparently
told executives at one of the worlds largest PC makers not to
expect a formal release of Windows Vista SP1 the first major set
of upgrades and bug fixes to its Vista operating system until
2009 at the earliest. That explains why Microsoft was so desperate
to correct erroneous reports, spread by a careless team of
developers at Microsoft, that a beta version of SP1 would be out
last week. Microsoft now says it currently anticipates a beta of
SP1 later this year. Anticipations, of course, are not always met.
Especially if youre a sluggish beast like Microsoft, with
thousands of developers to keep in train on a release. And this
delay would have wide aftershocks.
The rumored delay in SP1, of course, means that it would be
impossible for Microsoft to deliver its next version of Windows by
2010, as Windows watcher Mary Jo Foley believes. At ZDNet, David
Berlind asks the smart question: Will any future version of Windows
matter, as developers and users shift to the Web? Any delays in
SP1, of course, make subsequent releases less and less
relevant.
The delays in Vista, and its lack of must-have features, have
already infuriated Microsofts most important partners, the PC
makers who preinstall most copies of Windows sold. Gianfranco
Lanci, CEO of Acer, the fourth-largest PC maker, has broken the
code of silence, telling the FT Deutschland newspaper that the
entire industry is disappointed by Vista. Historically, new
releases of Windows have provided a boost to PC sales. Not so with
Vista, Lanci contends.
And if PC makers have to wait two years for SP1, and more than that
for the next version of Windows? Apples marketers will have a
field day. And the notion of a mass-market Linux PC, once
ludicrous, will look more and more plausible.
Source 1: Valleywag.com
Source 2: WindowsVistaMagazine.com/US
And if PC makers have to wait two years for SP1, and more than that
for the next version of Windows? Apples marketers will have a
field day. And the notion of a mass-market Linux PC, once
ludicrous, will look more and more plausible.
Source 1: Valleywag.com
Source 2: WindowsVistaMagazine.com/US