Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, recently commented on Windows Vista, stating that it is a “work in progress” and that Microsoft has learned a great deal from its latest OS. Yesterday in a conference in Europe, Ballmer reiterated the end-of-life deadline for Windows XP, but also hinted that, if enough consumer demand is there, Microsoft may consider changing its deadline.
Yes, many users have had problems with Vista. Yes, Microsoft may have made some mistakes with Vista’s release (most notably, the five year window between XP and Vista). However, it’s nice to see Microsoft address some of these quibbles about Vista and acknowledge its customers’ stance on XP. Does this mean we’ll be seeing the XP end-of-life deadline pushed back? According to a Microsoft PR spokeswoman, no. However, as the petition at Infoworld indicates (over 160,000 people have signed), anything could happen.
As it stands now, after June 30th, consumers will no longer be able to purchase XP, unless buying a ULCPC (ultra low-cost PC). Microsoft recently announced that ULPC makers will be able to pre-install Windows XP Home Edition on their computers until 2010, or one year after the release of the next iteration of Windows. Whatever happens with XP, the folks at Microsoft at least seem to be learning from their mistakes (more or less), and for that, I applaud them.
Filed under: Computers, Microsoft, Technology Tagged: | Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, ULPC, Windows Vista, Windows XP
