Windows 8: Confirmed.

(Follow me on Twitter: UX Evangelist)

No, not as codename "Midori."

With Windows 7 well underway, there are plenty of teams within Microsoft who are looking to the future. Yes, Windows 8 is not only confirmed as existing as its own entity but Microsoft is currently looking for people to fill the proverbial shoes of planning. Perhaps the codename for Windows 8 is just that; Windows 8, and not "Orient" or "Mystic," as previously rumored. With Windows 7 being the current codename of Microsoft's upcoming OS, "Windows 8" as a codename makes perfect sense, though ultimately an assumption on my behalf at the moment.

says: "To Windows 8... and beyond!"
(Okay, okay... so that's not exactly how Buzz Lightyear said it but close enough)

Adding to my previous mentions of Windows 8, confirmation of Windows 8 comes to us via job postings on Microsoft's site (which I originally stumbled upon via a search on Computer Job's website and decided to see if the same job postings existed on Microsoft's site as well). So, just what are the confirmations of Windows 8's planned existence? Follow my nose!


"This collaboration will also generate input for Windows 8 planning which we will drive back into the planning team as part of the regular planning process."

Proof: microsoft.com | computerjobs.com


"Establishing a strong partnership with the Windows 8 planning organization [and] participating in the Windows 8 planning process."

Proof: microsoft.com | computerjobs.com


"Working with the Windows 8 planning organization [and] participating in the Windows 8 planning process."

Proof: microsoft.com | computerjobs.com


"Team with senior leaders across Windows to define the technical roadmap for the next generation of Windows engineering system for Windows 8 and beyond."

Proof: microsoft.com | computerjobs.com


"The WTT team is looking to make significant changes to it's infrastructure for Windows 8."

Proof: microsoft.com | computerjobs.com


So what do we ascertain from this? NOT that Microsoft doesn't care about the latest version of Windows they're working on! Those of you who think Microsoft is committing some cardinal sin by planning for the future need to come to realize that it's no different than a sports team studying and planning to beat teams that are 2 or more games ahead of them. You have what you currently have, you work with it, develop upon it and plan ahead. Simple as that. No, you don't go jumping the gun and banking on immediate success! It's still work, it takes effort and no one knows just what is going to happen until you get there but how on earth can you fault a company for planning ahead? No one is perfect and Microsoft certainly had a lesson or two to learn from Longhorn but as ever-growing as any person or company is, things don't come to fruition without planning. If Microsoft didn't have their planning phase in the time frame of development that they do, you would be waiting for advancements in their products much longer than you currently have to.

Remember: PLANNING does not equal DEVELOPMENT. Don't misconstrue Microsoft's PLANNERS as being Microsoft's DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS. The people hard at work writing code for Windows 7 will be the same people (figuratively speaking) hard at work writing code for Windows 8 but not until Windows 7 is finished. One thing at a time, folks. Don't freak out that you're hearing of Windows 8 with Windows 7 still being the current focus. I say, "Microsoft, plan away!"

Resources:

- Windows 8 search on computerjobs.com
- Windows 8 search on microsoft.com

-Stephen

Weeee: DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS (The Remix)