Source: Xinhua

01-14-2009 10:43

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Although Microsoft released Office 2007 and Windows Vista at the same time, users should not expect the same of Windows 7 and the next version of Office, code-named Office 14, according to media reports Tuesday.

Sources: Windows 7 and Office 14 dual launch not likely

Sources who follow Microsoft closely said that while they expect Windows 7 to be in full release as early as August or September -- or at least by the end of this year -- Office 14 probably won't be out until next year.

Microsoft released the first Windows 7 beta for public download on Saturday, initially limiting its release to a certain number of users due to an overwhelming response that caused problems for its Web site. The company later lifted the ban.

Andrew Brust, chief of new technology for Microsoft consulting partner twentysix New York, said he does not have specific insider information about Windows 7's scheduled release. However, the initial positive response to the Windows 7 beta and the fact that the Operating System is highly anticipated in the wake of Vista's shortcomings give Microsoft a strong impetus to get it into customers' hands sooner rather than later.

"People want this thing yesterday, and I think Vista sales could stagnate now because of it," he said via e-mail. "So it's in Microsoft's best interest to get Windows 7 to market. Not before it's ready, mind you."

However, he thinks Office 14 "will be a 2010 thing," a theory of an alleged road map for Office supported by screenshots posted on the UX Evangelist blog of Stephen Chapman, a Microsoft enthusiast. The screenshot shows Office 14 as a 2010 release.

When asked about Office 14 in an interview last week at the Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft representatives had little to say, keeping in line with the company's overall public silence about the product.

Editor:Yang Jie