Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said on Friday that the company's latest operating system, 'Microsoft 7' could be released within the next year.

The comments suggest a successor to Vista could be released earlier than had been expected.

Mr Gates claimed the latest Windows product would "run the desk of the future" and revolutionise mobile phone use, Reuters reports.

According to the news provider, he said during a Miami seminar on corporate philanthropy: "I'm super-enthused about what it will do in lots of ways. That'll be sometime in the next year or so that we'll have a new version."

The High Position blog reported that a spokesman for Microsoft swiftly released a statement following the announcement, pointing out that Mr Gates had been referring to the test system, not the finished product.

Vista has experienced some teething problems and it has been claimed by Tech Radar that Mr Gates' announcement suggests Microsoft is already looking for a successor.


© Adfero Ltd