News19,135 Articles

July 25, 2003

Gates says Longhorn is "a bit scary"

Microsoft boss not sure users will like next version of Windows

Joris Evers

Longhorn, the next version of the Windows operating system, will be so different from its predecessors that users may not like it right away, according to Bill Gates.

"Longhorn is a bit scary. We have been willing to change things," Gates said at Microsoft's annual financial analyst meeting at the company's HQ yesterday.

"[Longhorn] should drive a whole range of upgrades, but that could be sort of delayed," Gates said. Because of differences with the previous versions of Windows, it could be a year or two after its release before computer users really pick up Longhorn.

Gates appeared to distance himself from a commitment the company made at its Windows Engineering Hardware Conference (WinHEC) in May to deliver Longhorn in 2005, refusing to comment on the release date.

"Longhorn is innovative... there is a lot of work to be done in terms of what has to go in," Gates said. Asked if Microsoft would consider dropping some of the innovations it has planned so the product can come out sooner, Gates said no: "If you split it up, then you delay one of the really great pieces," he said.

"We need a big-bang release to drive excitement," Gates said.

Microsoft has been tight-lipped about specific features in Longhorn, but early versions of the product have leaked to the internet. Major changes in Longhorn are expected to include the graphical user interface and either a new file system or a technology update to the existing file system.

Gates said that Longhorn will have a new file system, but Microsoft officials at WinHEC said the operating system will have a new storage system that will be based on the existing NTFS.

Microsoft promises more details about the operating system release, which analysts have said will be one of the most important Windows launches for the company, in October at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference. A beta of Longhorn is planned for next year.

Related links:
Microsoft

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now