An item that appeared in a LinkedIn member's resume is fueling speculation that Microsoft is already working on Windows 8, a new, more powerful successor to the just-released Windows 7 - and that the new operating system will work on a new, more powerful generation of chips yet to be designed.
The technology site The Inquirer reports that one Robert Morgan, identified on LinkedIn as "Senior Research & Development at Microsoft," had this item listed in his work experience section:
"Research & Development projects including 128bit architecture compatibility with the Windows 8 kernel and Windows 9 project plan. Forming relationships with major partners: Intel, AMD, HP and IBM."
This would suggest that with Windows 8, Microsoft is preparing for a major leap forward in microprocessor technology by enabling its next generation operating system to operate on much faster processors than currently exist. Windows 7 currently comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
According to the report, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed that work is under way on Windows 8, but that it is not expected to ship until 2012.
A search of LinkedIn produced no profile for a Robert Morgan at Microsoft, though a Google cache of the page dated Oct. 6 exists. Because of this, reports of a 128-bit version of Windows 8 in the works, including this one, should be taken with a grain of salt, but the fact that even this has slipped out opens up some very interesting possibilities for the future.
Written by Sandy Smith
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