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Microsoft Longhorn due for release in 2006

Microsoft Longhorn due for release in 2006

Microsoft unveiled on Monday plans to build its next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn.

The operating system is due for release in 2006.

At the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles, Longhorn was promoted as the biggest OS release since Windows 95.

Connectivity is the buzzword likely to dominate the marketing of the new product as Longhorn will include technology for building the next generation of “smart client” software, integrating PC applications such as Word or Excel with immediate Web information access.

Microsoft also said it was working on doing away with the tedious need to reboot PCs when software was loaded.

Longhorn will also use new video and 3D capabilities built into chips and graphics hardware.

The software giant also announced plans to sell Longhorn versions of Office and a new version of the MSN portal.