Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has hinted that
there may be further delays in the release of its new Windows Vista
operating system.
A second beta version of Vista was released at the software
giant’s WinHec hardware conference in Seattle last week.
The final version was originally set to be released this year,
but the company announced in March that Vista would not be
generally available until January 2007, because the company was
behind schedule in tackling security issues.
But Ballmer told a press conference in Tokyo that the firm was
still considering what the right time to launch the new operating
system would be.
Since the product will not now be released in time to pick up
Christmas sales, the company would analyse the next “machine
cycle” to ensure a successful launch.
“Certainly, when Windows Vista comes to the market next year,
and it will be next year, we will make sure that we make a high
quality product, ship a high quality product, when it's ready,”
Ballmer said.
“What we are discussing... with hardware partners is when they
would really like it - early January, late January, February. We
are on track for shipping early in the year.”