The Consumer Preview for Windows 8 was launched on February 29, a day that only comes around once every four years. However, you don't have to wait until 2016 for Microsoft to launch the OS properly. It's common knowledge that Microsoft is aiming to get the final build of Windows 8 out the door by the end of this year. What we don't know, is when exactly it might happen.
Today brings rumors that Microsoft is eying an October release date. Word comes via Bloomberg, which gets its information from people with knowledge of Microsoft's schedule. According to Bloomberg's sources, Redmond will finish work on Windows 8 this summer, which will set the stage for PCs and tablets running on Windows 8 going on sale around October.
This would fit in with both the Windows 7 launch, which was October 22 of 2008, but also ensure that manufacturers were able to ship products in time for the all important holiday shopping season. It also gels quite nicely with last week's rumors that Lenovo wanted to be first out the door with a Windows tablet and was aiming for an October launch.
Bloomberg's sources say Microsoft has scheduled an early April event for its industry partners. The company will reportedly spill the beans on its Windows 8 release strategy, offering details on timing and strategy. April is only two weeks away, guys. Hopefully it will bring with it something solid on the Windows 8 release.
