BANGALORE: The count down has begun for the launch of the much anticipated, Windows XP. It’s nine days to go. Ironically the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore, will have to wait for yet another six days for XP. Thanks to BangaloreIT.COM beginning on November 1, 2001, which is the official launch date of Windows XP in Karnataka.

Microsoft is the platinum sponsor of BangaloreIT.COM and has booked close to 2,500 sq. meters of space at the event. The software giant has planned to take the event as a rightful launch platform for its new product. However the event commences on November 1 and global launch for Windows XP has been slated on October 25.

Microsoft India chief sales manager, Karthik Padmanabhan, said that launching XP five days after the global launch will not affect the sales of the product significantly in Karnataka. He said, "In fact this would increase the sales of the product during this event. It’s just a strategic decision taken by the company to coincide the launch of Windows XP in Karnataka during BangaloreIT.COM."

The first few copies of Windows XP in Karnataka will be given to SM Krishna and other dignitaries present during the launch. Microsoft will participate in the event along with its other channel partners who will represent its products portfolio along with Windows XP based applications.

Microsoft has shipped its new OS to all the major PC makers who will roll out their Windows XP ready PCs on October 25 all over the world, including India. Indian PC makers will be releasing the new PCs bundled with Windows XP on the global launch. "The price of the product is yet to be finalized and will be announced on October 25th,"said Padmanabhan.