windows8
Microsoft slates Windows 8 beta for late February 2012 – Computerworld.
OtherSources: TechRadar, MaximumPC

The next step for Windows 8 is Public Beta arriving sometime in Late February 2012 according to the latest announcement from Microsoft.

A windows store will launch as part of the release at that same time.  Microsoft has been working hard to stir up early support for this latest change to is Operating System.  With recent announcements of “First Apps Contest” that is taking submissions through Jan. 8, 2012.