Microsoft announced a limited release of the next version of its Windows operating system, code-named "Whistler."
Termed a "beta 1 release," the new operating system will be distributed to "key partners and customers, as well as to more than 200,000 software developers" to gather feedback and enable compatibility testing, Microsoft said Tuesday in a statement.
Brian Valentine, senior vice president of the Windows Division at Microsoft, said the release was "the next step in delivering on our vision for Windows and will provide software and hardware vendors with a single code base on which to develop applications and devices for both home and business PC users."
Whistler desktop and server family of products, according to the statement, "will improve on the substantial advancements that Windows 2000 enterprise customers realize today."
It is also the "first 64-bit version of Windows that will be available to customers for early evaluation purposes on Intel Itanium-based systems, the company added.
"This release will help us continue to receive the feedback we need, which will help ensure broad compatibility of software applications and hardware devices and ultimately provide the best customer experience," said Valentine.
Both versions -- desktop and server -- are expected to be generally available in the second half of 2001 -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
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