Is Microsoft already looking beyond Windows 7 to Windows 8? Well, it can't hurt to be prepared. In a recent presentation at the Los Angeles Professional Developers Conference, Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky revealed two interesting slides that CNET News believes confirms the next major release from the Redmond-based firm is pegged for 2012.
There's great value for Microsoft in being up front with its home and business customers. For one, being prepared keeps stock value high. Second, it keeps consumer confidence at a peak, and although the initial knee-jerk reaction might be to wonder if news of another Microsoft operating system (OS) could hurt Windows 7 sales, in the end it serves to keep the Windows brand name popular both short- and long-term.
So, how do we know Windows 8 will be here in 2012?
Well, we certainly can't know for sure, but given Sinofsky's presentation, there's reason to believe Windows 8 will arrive in three years time. According to reports, Sinofsky's slides indicated that the next major release update for Windows Server is due that year, while one of the slides reportedly revealed the new OS' code name.
