It's Official: Windows 8 RTM Scheduled for August
Microsoft's currently holding its annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto, Canada and the company today revealed some important Windows 8 milestones with partners at WPC. Speaking to thousands of partners from around the world, Windows Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer Tami Reller confirmed that Windows 8 is on track to hit Release to Manufacturing (RTM) the first week of August. Reller also confirmed that the OS will reach general availability by the end of October.
Though we sort of already knew Windows 8 was scheduled for launch in October, details of when the OS would hit RTM are new. Additionally, Microsoft says enterprise customers with Software Assurance benefits will have full access to Windows 8 bits as early as August. Reller also noted that RTM is when the company will be turning on the commerce platform so developers can start earning money for their apps, and promised details on the Windows Store for developers blog soon. All apps are still free for people to try with the Windows 8 Release Preview.
Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.

Microsoft will most likely create a patch so that Start button is taken out even from Stardock. Remember the article that talked about how much effort they put into getting rid of the button from Windows code?
So far there are no major killer features that make me want to upgrade any of my computers to Windows 8, but none are touchscreen. Thankfully it doesn't seem that Windows 8 is any less usable once you get beyond the start screen, with the full desktop showing.
Once Microsoft releases their next DirectX API, which I'm sure they'll make exclusive to Windows 8 (just like they made DX11 a Windows 7 exclusive, even though Vista is capable through some software tricks), that's when I'll upgrade.
I find myself only using the Start button to launch utilities (defrag, disk cleanup, etc) and making an extensive usage of shortcuts.
Microsoft will most likely create a patch so that Start button is taken out even from Stardock. Remember the article that talked about how much effort they put into getting rid of the button from Windows code?
I've never skipped a Windows release before, so my feelings are pretty legitimate I think. I'm not just complaining for the sake of complaining, I'm borderline fanboy when it comes to Microsoft but I'm also reasonable and objective when the situation calls for it.
Not sure where you're getting your info but DX11 has been officially supported for Vista right from the start. The "tricks" you speak of are normal Windows Updates that require you to have Service Pack 2 installed and another Windows Update (KB971512). DX11 was never a Windows 7 exclusive like DX10 was for Vista.
Let the world out there first do a massive live 'beta testing' and after SP1 comes our I may think about it.
I am used to have optimized desktop running in ultra high resolution with applications running together as you place them and this seems to be big issue with metro as everything seems to be running like optimized for phone and not desktop with very little options for them.
So for me its big NO for Windows 8, I am sticking with "W7". Really hope M$ realize this was step in wrong direction as were Windows ME.
I wish Linux could get their act together, but with their current state, it won't take much of a bite out of the PC market. The desktops are getting better, but the functionality is really poor. To install certain programs you still have to use the terminal and use SU comments. Seriously, its archaic. Come on Linux! Lets move up for the masses!
... it's gonna be a good year for google and apple... and may be for some linux distro too...