Finally, we have a date on Windows Vista release for retail shops. It is going to be January 30, 2007 from when retail customers can get a copy of the operating system off the shelves of stores. This follows the announcement by Microsoft that the OS would be available for corporate customers from Nov 30, which is exactly three weeks from now.
As we know, Vista would be the first new PC OS by Microsoft since 2001 when it launched Windows XP. Since then the newer OS project initially named Longhorn was jinxed (following hackers downloading prototypes and codes from Redmond) and MS had to finally chop and change a lot and rename it as Windows Vista.
The announcement of the date may bring cheers in the faces of many anxious geeks who were waiting to have their hands on Vista (that promises a whole range of new and advanced features), but missing out on this year’s Christmas holidays may cost Microsoft a little in sales. So to minimize the loss, MS is offering coupons for free or discounted versions of Vista to customers who buy a PC with the older Windows XP installed to encourage people to by PCs (Vista-ready of course) during the upcoming holidays.
MS CEO Steve Ballmer will unveil the OS at an event New York Stock Exchange.
News: BBCNews.com
