Next generation Windows launch in 2012

Have you been hearing rumours about when will next version of Windows, world's most widely used OS launch ? Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft announced on May 23 at a developer's meet in Tokyo

that next generation of Windows, popularly dubbed as Windows 8 would launch next year.

Microsoft has seen huge success with Windows 7. According to Windows blog , Windows 7 has sold more than 350 million licenses

With Windows 8, Microsoft is looking at continuing that trend. It is expected to be cloud friendly , optimized for tablets, will have reduced boot time among other cool features. You can learn more about possible Windows 8 features  here.

There could be more concrete details available about Windows 8 next week when Steven Sinofsky, President  of Windows division at Microsoft speaks at 9th D: All Things Digital  conference . Stay tuned for updates.

Update 25 May, 2011 5 pm IST

According to statement from a Microsoft spokesperson,  "We are eagerly awaiting the next generation of Windows 7 hardware that will be available in the coming fiscal year. To date, we have yet to formally announce any timing or naming for the next version of Windows."

Let's see if Mr. Ballmer's schedule of 2012 holds or not.