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By January 2010, Microsoft expects up to 80 per cent of users in the region to have tested the trial versions. (AFP)
Software giant Microsoft has reported a 40-per cent uptake of beta and release candidate (RC) versions of its forthcoming Windows 7 operating system in the Gulf.
By the time the final version of the new operating system is released in January 2010, the company expects up to 80 per cent of Windows users in the region to have downloaded and tested the trial versions.
"According to our estimates approximately 40 per cent of our customers – including enterprise, mid-market and IT enthusiasts – have tried and tested these versions," Wilson Xavier, Windows Business Group Manager, Microsoft Gulf, told Emirates Business.
"The high uptake is mainly due to the fact that the Arabic version has been made available at the beta stage for the first time in the region. This generated a lot of interest and we also made available the physical media for customers who do not have enough bandwidth to download or are reluctant to download the beta version."
The beta version is targeted at early adopters or IT enthusiasts while the RC version at partners, enterprises and all other customers.
"The next stage will be the release of the manufacturing version, which will be made available to original equipment manufacturers. At this stage we expect partners and large organisations to test and provide us feedback on Windows 7," he said.
After the launch of Microsoft Vista, the company released a service pack comprising changes made to the system.
Xavier said: "This time the product features are set and we do not expect to make changes on this front."
The beta and RC versions of Windows 7 have been made available to academic institutions in the region.
"It was essential to get the academic community involved and let them learn about the new operating system," said Xavier.
In terms of security, Microsoft has included features such as data encryption and parental control similar to those provided with Vista. The company plans to launch six versions of the new system targeting home users and organisations.
Microsoft has been a victim of piracy in the region for some time but Xavier said he did not expect this problem to affect the launch of Windows 7. "Overall piracy levels in the Gulf have fallen over the past three years, due to stringent laws," he said.
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