Originally Posted: June 2, 2011

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said yesterday that Windows 8 will debut in 2012, although the company later called his comments a "misstatement."

Speaking at a developers conference in Japan yesterday, Ballmer touched upon a variety of topics from Windows Phone to search engines to cloud computing. But the CEO emphasized that Microsoft is working on the next version of Windows and spilled a few details about Windows 8 as the company prepares to make the transition from Windows 7.

"We're obviously hard at work on the next version of Windows," Ballmer said, according to a transcript posted on Microsoft's own press site. "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."

Though Microsoft hasn't quite kept it a secret that it's working on the next version of Windows, the company has yet to officially spill the beans on the exact name and launch date. So this marked the first confirmation at the highest ranks. Ballmer also noted Microsoft's efforts to launch Windows 8 across a variety of platforms from PCs to mobile devices.

However, it seems Ballmer may jumped the gun by publicly uttering the name and ship year for Windows 8. Following his comments, Microsoft released an official statement saying that its CEO apparently misspoke.

"It appears there was a misstatement," Microsoft said in a statement released to CNET. "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."

This isn't the first time Microsoft's feathers have been ruffled over comments specific to the next version of Windows. Intel VP Renee James managed to upset the company last week when she said that Microsoft would release multiple versions of Windows 8 designed for Intel-based PCs as well as ARM-based mobile devices.

Though it may not debut until next year, Windows 8 could actually make its first stage appearance at next week's All Things Digital D9 conference in California. AllThingsD's Kara Swisher has confirmed that the president of Microsoft's Windows division, Steven Sinofsky, will be one of the speakers.

Citing a source familiar with Microsoft's plans, tech site WinRumors says Microsoft plans to demo its Windows 8 tablet interface at D9, considered especially likely since the folks in Redmond traditionally tend to unveil new technologies at the annual All Things Digital conference.

Windows 8 will debut in 2012

just so i'm clear on the meaning of the previous post.. over the year i've worked on many window's pc's from 3.1 to present.. every time i've always encountered needless problems crashes Blue screens error messages locked programs viruses.. spam bots security breaches.. yeah granted it's "user friendly for the basic non technical that does less than desired processing" yes EVERY THING every game, halfway decent software is made for it but really havent we all wanted to go a little deeper in knowing our tools getting past the basic user to become an advanced user. being able to trouble shoot any problem and push the system to its limits till it over heats from exaustion and shuts down.. the problems i continue to face with windows is this update for that update this scanner to detect that virus yesterday but not tomorrow.. updating this security hole to block that one.. and then when its all said and done a new version comes out ever other year have having to pay $200-$400 to have the new version have all the same problems as the last.. and yet the circle continues. and when you need technical support there not available or you have to send the computer off and have their "Tech Guys" attempt to fix it and you may see your computer a month later. these are the problems i no longer deal with.. i dont have to worry about virus detectors spy ware mal-ware any updates are done automatically even new versions i dont have to worry about. any problems with hard ware not working it all just a matter of basic trouble shooting.. all the consistent problems i've had with window's over the years i never worry about any more. since i switched over. If something goes wrong there are tons of documentation and assistance to fix what ever the problem is for you to fix it on your own. and even the best part i can still use most of the window based software.. if they are needed.. every now and again i'll try out the newer versions of windows to see if anything has improved but the result always is the same.. so i hope this explains my first comment. also i wasnt making a direct stab at anyone.. just my overwhelming stress when it comes to using windows in general..

Good post but copy+past.