While Windows 8 will be made generally available via software upgrades and new PC purchases starting October 26, Microsoft confirmed today that it will hold a launch event for the product on October 25 in New York City. This confirms reports that the firm would hold a “midnight madness” event the night before in order to celebrate the launch and let customers get their hands on Windows 8 as soon as possible.
My Windows Weekly co-host Mary Jo Foley wrote about the October 25 event in Mark your Microsoft calendars: Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 launch dates revealed last month. “October 25, the day before general availability, will be Microsoft's big launch event for Windows 8 and the Surface RT,” she wrote. “And that event will be in New York City, the site of most recent previous Windows launches. Windows 8 and the Surface RT ARM-based devices should be available (at least technically) at midnight, following the launch event.”
Today, Microsoft sent out the following press invite for this event.
Naturally, Mary Jo and I will be on hand for the launch and while we don’t have any details to share about this yet, I think it’s safe to say we’ll be having some form of meet-up/tweet-up that night in New York City. I’m happy to give away signed copies of my new book, “Windows 8 Secrets” at this event.
See you in New York!