Windows 8, the first version of Windows designed to work on touch tablets, will be available to customers on October 26, whether in upgrade fashion or on a new PC. Mark your calendars Windows lovers (and I guess haters). Windows 8, Microsoft’s highly-anticiptated next version of Windows, will be generally available on October 26, 2012. The news was announced today by Windows chief Steven Sinofsky at Microsoft’s annual sales meeting. Here is a company blog post on the Windows 8 announcement. Obviously on Oct. 26 customers will be able to buy new Windows 8 devices. But also, if your PC is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 you will qualify to download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 in 131 markets. In Pictures: The Best of Windows 8 Hardware (So Far) A couple weeks ago at Microsoft WPC (Worldwide Partner Conference) in Toronto, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 8 would launch in late October. October 26 is a Friday, and I did find it surprising that Microsoft is doing a major product release on a Friday. Historically big Microsoft releases happen in the beginning or middle of the week so the buzz keeps buzzing through the work week where people are more apt to read the news. Doesn’t Microsoft know that people tend to forget about everything on the weekend? But hey, for what it’s worth, the first iPhone released on a Friday (June 29, 2007), and that product has done okay. In any case it’s nice to have date of birth for the fist version of Windows designed to work with with touchscreen capabilities on both PCs and tablets. Save the date. Microsoft confirmed that the Windows 8 RTM (release to manufacturing) version is still set for early August. Related content opinion Last Words Before Closing Eye on Microsoft By Shane O'Neill Jun 05, 2013 3 mins Small and Medium Business Tablets Windows opinion With Rumored Reorg, Microsoft Tries to Simplify The mounting pressure on Steve Ballmer to streamline Microsoft is finally leading to some action. By Shane O'Neill Jun 03, 2013 3 mins IT Strategy Cloud Computing Computers and Peripherals opinion What You Need to Know About the New Lync and Skype Integration Audio calls and instant messaging are officially integrated between Lync and Skype, but no video connectivity yet. Here are some key points for users and IT admins about the new Lync-Skype connection. By Shane O'Neill May 29, 2013 3 mins Small and Medium Business Internet VoIP opinion Microsoft Should Leave the Competition Out of Ads Microsoft is in no position to disparage Google and Apple in TV ads, yet it keeps doing it. A new ad for Microsoft Surface turns inward and gets it right. By Shane O'Neill May 23, 2013 2 mins Small and Medium Business Tablets Internet Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe