Microsoft launches second big trial of new Windows http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060523/tc_nm/microsoft_dc_3
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) on Tuesday launched its second major test version of the Windows Vista operating system, which the company has said it plans to debut next year. At the same time, Microsoft is starting trials of its upcoming Office 2007 business software suite and its Windows Server system code-named "Longhorn." Windows Vista, Office 2007 and "Longhorn" represent a set of crucial new product releases for the world's largest software maker in its effort to stimulate sales growth and jump-start a stock that has underperformed every major U.S. stock index since 2002. "Each of these is a very important product," said Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, adding that they were the company's "three most important products." Vista is the first major overhaul of the Windows operating system, which sits on 90 percent of the world's computers and accounts for nearly a third of Microsoft's total revenue, since the company rolled out Windows XP nearly five years ago. Microsoft originally targeted a 2005 launch for the new Windows, then pushed the release out to 2006 before announcing in March that Vista would again be delayed to improve the product's quality. The company also pushed back the launch of Office 2007 to move together with Vista. Earlier this month, research group Gartner Inc. (NYSE:IT - news) said the company will likely delay the new Windows launch by at least three months because it is too complex to be able to meet Microsoft's targeted November release for volume license customers and its January launch for retail consumers. Gartner had expected Microsoft to release the second major test version of Vista during the current quarter. Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list medianews@twiar.org To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
