Windows 8 is gearing up for release sometime next year, and it appears that we might be able to get a taste of the beta flavor of the OS starting with late February 2012.
Rumors on the availability of Windows 8’s beta version have been floating around for some time now, and it appears that confirmation on the matter already emerged, though not through the official channels.
The Next Web reports that Microsoft sources familiar with the company’s plans for the desktop client suggested recently that the public beta release of Windows 8 would happen in the second month of the next year.
Even so, the beta iteration of Windows 8 is expected to be showcased in early 2012 at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Along with Windows 8, Microsoft might also bring its new Office 15 at CES in January, so as to give us a taste of the new Metro UI that its productivity suite would sport.

The new iteration of Office should bring along ease of use on devices that sport touchscreens, and it is also expected to improve usability on other devices.
Microsoft has been making steady progress towards reaching the new milestone in Windows 8’s development, though it appears that earlier estimates regarding its release to manufacturers might not pan out.
With a late February availability in Beta, we should expect the client to hit the RTM stage only towards mid-2012.
However, the previously expected third quarter general availability does not seem farfetched at all, but it is actually shaping up pretty well.
We should note, however, that no specific availability date for Windows 8 has been unveiled so far. Chances are, however, that Microsoft would offer more info on the platform’s completion and shipping when making the beta release available.
One other thing that the Redmond-based company is keeping mum on is the feature set that Windows 8 will bring along in its beta flavor.
source softpedia.com via byetech.com