Windows 7 expected in beta after first of the year

While there was initial speculation that a public beta was a ways off yet, it seems Microsoft will be cranking out the first public beta of Windows 7 sometime after the first of the year, as just confirmed by Keith Combs of Technet.

Those who attend the Microsoft Developer’s Conference starting on January 13th should gain access to DVDs with the new Windows 7 beta on it. Those who attend these events in Chicago and Minneapolis will most likely be the first to receive copies.

Even though dubbed as a “first beta,” it now seems Microsoft has accelerated their Windows 7 roll out schedule, giving them plenty of time to introduce further tests throughout 2009 and perhaps even offer an official release sometime next year, rather than in 2010.

[via Electronista]