Before I answer this question completely, let’s look at what we do have.  First of all, you can see it, right now.  Windows 8’s first iteration, meaning it will change, is available as a Developer Preview Operating System, which you can download and install on a compatible PC today. 

The Windows 8 Developer Preview Metro Interface

Seeing and using all this is very interesting, however, since this release in September, four months ago, we are eagerly awaiting a true Beta, and this hasn’t happened yet.

Back in September, this post (on www.windows8news.com) talked about a potential October, 2012 release.  Since that time, all the chatter on the web is still talking October.  At the recent CES in Las Vegas earlier this month, Microsoft bigwigs were pretty tight-lipped about announcing any timelines for Windows 8.

So what should you expect?  For the next several weeks, expect a lot of this speculation to continue.  However, be on the look out for actual announce millstones, like newer version numbers, and interviews with key personnel that might give hints.  My opinion is if they want to have an October release date, they better get cracking!  To that end, we should expect to hear of a beta announcement no later than next month, or the October pseudo-date will not be met.

DaveF

See my post above dated Feb 11, 2012.