Microsoft is preparing its first official look at the future of Windows next week, during aninvite-only eventin San Francisco. While a number of leaks have unearthed features and changes in an upcoming release of Windows, currently codenamed Threshold, the naming of the release is still largely a mystery. Referred to by many as Windows 9, the next major release of Microsoft's operating system could simply be called "Windows." There's plenty of evidence to suggest that, and a new report from Reutersclaims Microsoft will unveil a new name for its Windows product on Tuesday, which could be Windows 9, Windows, or an entirely different brand. Microsoft currently refers to what we'll call Windows 9 as Windows Threshold or Windows X internally. The Windows X moniker is likely a placeholder and not final naming, but a Tweet in jest yesterday from myself and fellow Microsoft watcher andZDNet reporter Mary Jo Foley generated a surprise response from Windows chief Terry Myerson. "We're still deciding, but thanks for your vote" joked Myerson, alongside an image of him covering his lips to mimic our original "ssh" Tweet. There's even a PixelSense Microsoft display in the background, and Myerson is gingerly obscuring the end of a Windows logo, just to keep everyone guessing.
