Neowin has details on the current Microsoft internal schedule for Longhorn, the next major release of Windows. Their report says the first beta release is due on May 25, with a second beta on October 12. The internal schedules say the product will release to manufacturing on May 24, 2006, almost exactly one year after the first beta.
Take all the dates with a shovel full of salt, of course. But regardless, I know what I’ll be doing for about a year when I get back from vacation on May 23!
Update: Steven Bink has a slightly different set of dates.
Ed Bott 
Anyone having problems with Cd Spectrum Pro running Win XP With SP2?
Any advance word on how Longhorn might differ from XP or XP Media Edition– or is it just the High-Def phase II of XP Media Edition?
Paul Thurrott’s series of articles at winsupersite.com might help explain.
Basically, Longhorn is the next generation of Windows. It has some fundamental architectural changes that should improve security and visuals. The landscape has shifted a lot in the past year, though, so I’m not sure what is still in and what’s out.
I checked Paul’s Window site– most informative. But I’m confused about one thing: he has a lengthy discussion about Windows MCE 2005 and it’s support for HDTV. But he has it as “already been released”, but I thought it was still a few months away. (maybe he’s talking beta release?)
Also, I’m anxious to hear of your experience w/ your new HD video card. Has it arrived yet? And should I maybe continue save these questions for when you do post your thoughts?