The next version of Windows will be called Windows 8, according to a speech today by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. And new Windows systems will be out next year.

He specifically referred to the next version as “Windows 8″ during today’s Microsoft Developer Forum in Tokyo. Check out the following piece of Microsoft’s transcript:

We’re obviously hard at work on the next version of Windows. Windows 7 PCs will sell over 350 million units this year. We’ve done a lot in Windows 7 to improve customer satisfaction. We have a brand new user interface. We’ve added touch, and ink, and speech. And yet, as we look forward to the next generation of Windows systems, which will come out next year, there’s a whole lot more coming. As we progress through the year, you ought to expect to hear a lot about Windows 8. Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different form factors.

But, as ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley points out, Ballmer did not specifically say that the “next generation of Windows systems” coming next year will be Windows 8. Maybe we’re all splitting hairs here, but it’s possible these aren’t the same thing.

more at source..

he said...................she said...........................I say it is Windows 8 and it comes out next year - 2012.

2012, Time to re-up for a Technet sub methinks...

Microsoft backpedals from Ballmer's Windows 8 comments

It's called Windows 8 in some of the leaked builds. To me it's Windows 8

Originally Posted by ie9

It's called Windows 8 in some of the leaked builds. To me it's Windows 8

Me too....Windows 8 it is.