Microsoft originally announced it’s Azure cloud services and platform at last years PDC.
Azure provides businesses with a set of hosted services from Microsoft that allows developers to build rich web based applications that can scale well. Housed in Microsoft’s data centers, the service was initially released as a Community Technology Preview and free of charge during its testing phase.
Bob Muglia, president of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft, announced the business and partner model for the company’s Windows Azure platform at the Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans today. Microsoft will offer Windows Azure, SQL Azure and .NET Services for purchase through a consumption-based pricing model, allowing partners and customers to pay only for the services that they consume. Microsoft partners also will benefit from special promotional offers and discounts.
In a blog posting to the Windows Team blog, LeBlanc admits “there have been many rumors surrounding RTM” over the past week and notes “we are close, but have not yet signed off on Windows 7. When we RTM you will most certainly hear it here. As we’ve said all along, we will RTM Windows 7 when it’s ready. As previously stated, we expect Windows 7 to RTM in the 2nd half of July.”
Microsoft also provided some timings around when people will be able to get the final code:
- MSDN & TechNet Subscribers: Subscribers will be able to download the final version of Windows 7 a few weeks after RTM is announced.
- Volume License (VL) Customers: Windows 7 will be available to Volume License customers on September 1st.
- Consumers, Enthusiasts, & Beta Testers (Everyone else): The retail version of Windows 7 will be available in stores October 22nd. If you pre-ordered Windows 7, it should be delivered sometime around the October 22nd timeframe (depends on the retailer).
- On New PCs: OEMs are expected to start shipping new PCs with Windows 7 pre-installed on them around October 22nd.
Update: Just got word from several sources that 7600.16385.090713-1255 has been compiled but it’s not yet clear if this is just the Windows 7 WDK only or client too.
Microsoft is distributing the Office 2010 bits via its Connect testing site. The bits hold the build number 14.0.4006.1110 meaning they are older than the recent “beta” leak. Yesterday Microsoft unveiled Office 2010 and Office Web Applications 2010 at the company’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference. It’s widely expected that Microsoft will offer a public beta to customers in late August.
In an email to potential testers Microsoft noted that on “Microsoft Connect, you will find downloads available for early, pre-release versions of Microsoft Office 2010 products. You will also find product information and have the chance to participate in newsgroups to engage with our product teams and other program participants. Please note that there is no technical support offered for this program.”
Microsoft posted several Office videos yesterday demonstrating the new features of Office 2010. Although Microsoft has not confirmed official pricing, the company hinted that Office 2010 will be released in the first half of next year.
Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division, will begin the keynotes at 8:30am CDT. Elop oversees the Information Worker, Microsoft Business Solutions, and Unified Communications Groups. This division is responsible for the Microsoft Office system of programs, servers and software-based services. We expect Elop to demonstrate the range of Office Web Applications and detail the Office 2010 private beta.
Bill Veghte, senior vice president for the Windows business, will also join Elop in the announcements. Veghte is responsible for Sales and marketing across Windows and Windows Live and OEM sales.
Allison L. Watson, head of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft, will finish off the first round of keynotes, welcoming everyone to the beginning of the WPC 2009.
If the Windows 7 RTM announcement is due to happen at WPC then tomorrow is the more likely day.
You can follow the announcements live on Microsoft’s WPC site where they will have the keynotes streaming from 8:30AM CDT (other time zones).