No further Vista delay, says EC trustbuster

Reuters reports that EU trustbuster Neelie Kroes told reporters today that she spoke to Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer last night and had been told that regulatory problems would not prevent the product being delivered to its latest, much-amended schedule whereby subscribers get the product this year and consumers follow suit early next year.

The EC-MS dispute has led to speculation that Vista could be delayed once more with Gartner citing it among reasons why it contends Vista will not show up until next year. That speculation went up a notch recently when MEPs wrote an open letter warning that investigations could force a postponement in the release date, although at least one brave reporter called it right.

Fears, whether real, imaginary or politically motivated, should now be over, according to the EC.

"[Ballmer] announced that they have intention to ship it (Vista) globally," Kroes reportedly said. "He was aware that he shouldn't ask me if I could give a green light to it and rightly so." µ

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