The latest version of Microsoft’s operating system is to be called Windows Vista, it was announced today.
Windows Vista, formerly known by its code-name Longhorn, is scheduled to launch in 2006, the software giant said, with a Beta 1 version to be launched next month, on 3 August. The first beta version of the product was originally due to available to developers in the latter part of last year.
Developer support for Longhorn is seen as essential for Microsoft as the applications available for Windows have always driven sales. Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has gone on record as saying that Longhorn will be the company’s biggest launch since Windows 95, which was introduced with a massive global marketing push.
By Brian Skelly
