Longhorn unlikely to ship before 2007

BANGALORE: Software giant Microsoft announced in 2001 the launch of their next Windows version, code-named Longhorn, by second half of 2004. The date of launch, however, got extended to 2006, as announced at its developer conference in October 2003.

Gartner believes that the product is unlikely to ship before 2007, this may seem like a never ending wait. Microsoft needs to be more forthcoming with information on software releases so that businesses can plan IT strategies, according to analyst firm Gartner.

The analyst also said the companies should make it clear that they need better information on when new versions of Windows are likely to ship. Microsoft should release timelines and feature information about any interim versions of Windows, so that businesses hesitant to introduce XP can be informed, according to Gartner. The industry is also quite unsure of Microsoft’s plan about Windows 2000 Professional, and expects a statement from the company about the same.

The company has come under a lot of criticism because of continued delays regarding the shipment of Longhorn. According to Gartner, the delay may be longer, and that Longhorn may not ship until 2007.

CIOL Bureau