While Microsoft already showed off the consumer preview of Windows 8, we now have news from Bloomberg that the company will be done with the development of Windows 8 by this summer. The OS will be available to the masses from October, which means that we can expect Windows 8 running tablets by the end of this year.
The initial launch will see about 5 ARM devices, which presumably will be tablets, but hopefully there will be more added to the saddle.
Microsoft will also be hosting an event in April with all of its Windows 8 partners, to discuss about the development, release strategy and more details on timing and marketing for the new OS.
Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Stamford, Connecticut- based Gartner Inc said “If they miss the September-October time frame, they’re going to be stuck without being able to ship anything in 2012. The last thing Microsoft wants to have is a situation where there are no compelling Windows tablets at a time when the new iPad looks like it’s going to be a good seller for the holidays.”