A Microsoft project manager has posted and then removed a blog post regarding what he feels the next version of Windows will be like.
Entitled "What’s in store for the next Windows" the blog has now been removed but a Google cached version is still available. The Windows Club, who originally spotted the blog posting, speculate that the project manager is a member of the Windows Update team. The project manager doesn"t reveal anything specific but states:
"The minimum that folks can take for granted is that the next version will be something completly different from what folks usually expect of Windows - I am simply impressed with the process that Steven has setup to listen to our customers needs and wants and get a team together than can make it happen. To actually bring together dozens and dozens of teams across Microsoft to come up with a vision for Windows.next is a process that is surreal! The themes that have been floated truly reflect what people have been looking for years and it will change the way people think about PCs and the way they use them. It is the future of PCs..."
The project manager reflects back at Windows 7"s success in the market and argues that Microsoft"s new approach to developing Windows has worked. "The plan is to use a similar approach for the next version of Windows and till things are finalized you"re not going to get a "marketing" name from us" he states.
CIO interviewed Microsoft EMEA boss of consumer and online, John Mangelaars recently and quoted him as saying:
"[Apple is] doing well on the PC side but Windows 7 is a blockbuster. We got it really right. For me, Windows 8 will be mind-blowing."
Most company officials have been shy about talking Windows 8 or whatever the next version of Windows will be called. In January an ex-Microsoft employee predicted Windows 8 would be released in July 2011.