The first public trial/beta version of Windows

7 has been released. Microsoft’s very own Steve Ballmer announced the news in his keynote speech at CES,

revealing that software developers would be able to get their hands on the trial version on 7th January.

Two

days later, members of the public will get the chance to download the successor to Windows for

themselves.

Ballmer said Windows 7 would be the pivot of a broader Microsoft push to improve the way its

separate software and service families work together.

Mr Ballmer delivered the opening keynote, signifying the take over from

Bill Gates – who in last year ended his day-to-day involvement with the company he founded years ago.

Agreeing

with the current state of the economic climate, Steve Ballmer said: “We face some really big challenges. We are all

feeling it and its impact will likely be with us for some time.”