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Has Microsoft Booked a Trip to Vienna?

With the new Windows Vista operating system only a few months old--and its extensive marketing campaign still in full swing--one Microsoft official let it slip that the software giant might have a whole new version of Windows ready within a couple of years.

Ben Fathi, corporate vice president of development with Microsoft's Windows Core Operating System Division, said in February that Redmond was working on a new version of Windows, code-named "Vienna," that could be available by the end of 2009.

Fathi provided few details of what Vienna might offer users, but he did have a prediction, according to PC World magazine: "Over the next few months I think you're going to start hearing more and more."

Maybe not. Shortly after Fathi's interview, Microsoft released a statement attributed to Kevin Kutz, director, Windows Client: "We're not giving official guidance to the public yet about the next version of Windows, other than that we're working on it. When we're ready, we'll provide updates."

So don't pack your bags for Vienna just yet.

About the Author

Lee Pender is Redmond Channel Partner magazine's senior editor. You can reach him at [email protected].

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