There’s a very important reason why Microsoft is keeping mum on the evolution of Windows, since Steven Sinofsky, now President, Windows and Windows Live Division, took the helm of the Windows project in the post-Vista era. And it has to do with Microsoft’s communication strategy for codename Longhorn. Under Jim Allchin, former Co-President, Platforms & Services Division, the Redmond company opened up about its plans for the successor of Windows XP. The public was informed early own about the new features and capabilities planned for Longhorn, and this created an amazing level of enthusiasm.

However, the software giant also ended up going back to the drawing board on the project, and while users were expecting Longhorn, they got Windows Vista instead, with features such as WinFS amputated completely. This is why, post-Vista, Allchin imposed a new, translucent communication strategy, and Microsoft stuck to it.

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Windows 8 – Nothing Is Set in Stone - At this point in time - Softpedia

Where there's smoke, there's fire. :happy: