The Windows Roadmap

Based on information Microsoft revealed today, here is what’s upcoming with Windows:

Late 2003:

Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta
Security enhancements include firewall on by default, changes to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express security and revisions to Automatic Update.

First Half 2004:

Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1
Some similar enhancements to Windows XP and, additionally, what Microsoft calls "role-based security."

Tablet PC II, codename Lonestar

Summer 2004

Longhorn Beta 1

Windows XP 64-bit for AMD processors.

Second half 2004

Windows Mobile for Portable Media Centers

Microsoft did not reveal the latter product at today’s developers conference but through a press release. The software, which earlier was known as Media2Go, is based on Windows Mobile, Microsoft’s OS for embedded devices.

To be clear: Microsoft’s new release date is a year delay. Devices running the software had been planned for holiday 2003. They now will not be ready until holiday 2004. The software, which uses a similar interface to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 is designed for portable video players.

Considering Microsoft is moving into a nascent market, the delay should not gravely hurt the company or its hardware partners.

Posted by Joe Wilcox at October 27, 2003 05:29 PM