Microsoft Corp, the world's largest software maker, won't release a competitor to Apple Inc and Google Inc's tablet operating systems until the 2012 back-to- school season, people with knowledge of the plans said.
Public testing of a new version of Windows will begin at the end of this year with partners and customers, said the people, who declined to be identified because the plans haven't been disclosed publicly.
Microsoft is working to update its Windows 7operating system with features more tailored to the touch screens, size and battery life of tablet computers to win a place in the surging market for the devices. The longer it takes Microsoft to release its operating system, the more time Apple and Google have to strengthen their hold on the market.
"If 2011 is the year of the tablet wars, Microsoft will be awfully late suiting up for that battle," said Michael Gartenberg, a New Jersey-based analyst for research firm Gartner Inc. "It's not a good position to be in."
A 2012 debut for Microsoft would likely put it up against a third-generation iPad from Apple and second and third versions of devices based on Google's Android system, Gartenberg said. Hewlett-Packard Co. and Research In Motion Ltd. will probably also release second-generation tablets by then, he said.
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