Vista SP1 due to the coming weeks
January 24th, 2008 | by Fitri |
The wait is almost over for the first service pack for Windows Vista, according to sources close to Microsoft. Microsoft said the much-awaited service pack will be in the first quarter of this year, but some say it could be available within the next few weeks, more than a month before the quarter ends on March 31.
A Taiwanese news outlet reported Wednesday in a story that Vista SP1 would be released on February 15, but “this date is as good as any other,” said Michael Cherry, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft. “For we know all, they could make it available tomorrow. ”
Through its public relations agency Wednesday, Microsoft declined to comment on the date beyond February 15 reiterating the software will be available in the first quarter. However, several sources who work closely with Microsoft declared a mid-February release is not unlikely, and they expect the software before the end of March.
Chris Swenson, director of software industry analysis for the NPD Group, said that analysts have heard on February 15 as the target for SP1, but it is not something that Microsoft could confirm publicly to allow time for adjustments in the event of negative feedback on the current release of the software.
Microsoft released Vista SP1 Release Candidate (RC) in December, but while updating the software in a public earlier this month.
Several Microsoft partners said they could not confirm February 15 as the deadline for the release of SP1, but said he expects the software soon for a number of reasons.
Of these, the strength of the “release candidate,” said Brian Randell, a high-level consultant with MCW Technologies of Los Angeles. He used the SP1 RC, and it is stable and works well, “I see no reason why [the final] would not be out soon.”
Microsoft reluctance to give a firm date for SP1 means the company is convinced it can obtain the final release at the time, said Andrew Brust, chief of new technology consulting firm twentysix New York. However, he agreed with the NDP Swenson that the company wants to give himself room for last-minute changes. “They are not ready to promise anything beyond the 1st quarter,” he said. Brust is a regional director of Microsoft partners and works closely with the company.
Many people think the SP1 step is the one that will lead to a new wave of adoption for Vista, especially among business customers who have been waiting for the release of the service pack update before clerk. The combination of SP1 and Windows Server 2008, due out on February 27, is expected to bode well for Vista adoption in the enterprise and medium-sized businesses.