It was only yesterday that Microsoft"s CEO stated that "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 Microsoft is already backing away from the statements made and has issued a statement in response to what Ballmer publicly proclaimed.
Microsoft stated (via Infoworld.com) that "It appears there was a misstatement," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement the company issued Monday afternoon. "We are eagerly awaiting the next generation of Windows 7 hardware that will be available in the coming fiscal year. To date, we have yet to formally announce any timing or naming for the next version of Windows."
Even though Microsoft"s CEO touted the Windows 8 branding, Microsoft is not willing to commit to that branding just yet. The company is taking a cautious approach to the branding as it is typical for Microsoft to wait until closer to the product launch to actually label the new platform.
In 2008 Microsoft didn’t label Windows 7 until a few weeks before the platform actually launched. Considering Windows 8 is not expected to launch until 2012, it makes sense for the company to stick to its policy and not commit to a name branding as of yet.
Even with this type of policy, it is still interesting that the CEO of the company made the statement only to have it retracted later by a company spokesperson.