In January, unconfirmed reports from CES 2012 claimed that Microsoft was looking at an October 2012 time table to launch Windows 8. Now a new report on Bloomberg also states, via their own unnamed sources, that Microsoft hopes to finish Windows 8 development sometime this summer for an October launch date for PC and tablet devices.
The good news is that the report claims that both the regular x86 version of Windows 8 and the new ARM-based Windows 8 will be ready around the same time. However, the article also claims that only five Windows 8-based ARM products will be sold for the launch of the OS, compared to over 40 devices that will run on Intel's processors. The report did not give out any specifics on which companies will be selling Windows 8 ARM products.
The report quotes one of its unnamed sources as saying that Microsoft has "set rigorous quality-control standards" for products that will run the ARM version of Windows 8.
Bloomberg also reports that Microsoft will hold a special event in early April for its various hardware partners. The event will reportedly reveal more information about the specific timing of Windows 8's launch along with Microsoft's marketing plans.
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