Intel’s (INTC) chief executive officer Paul Otellini has some harsh words for one of the company’s closest partners. According to a report from Bloomberg, Otellini told employees that Microsoft (MSFT) is planning to release its Windows 8 operating system before it is fully ready. The executive reportedly believes that the software still needs improvements before it is ready for public consumption. A number of analysts have echoed these concerns, noting that the Microsoft’s partners haven’t had enough time to work out the operating system’s various kinks. “We are concerned at the level of bugs and fine tuning that appears necessary to get the beta systems we demoed ready for prime time,” Alex Gauna, an analyst at JMP Securities, said in a research note earlier this month. Microsoft is scheduled to release Windows 8 on October 26th.
UPDATE: Intel CEO Paul Otellini has denied Bloomberg’s report, his statement follows below.
Today Intel Corporation issued a statement in response to unsubstantiated news reports about comments made by Intel CEO Paul Otellini in a meeting with employees.
Intel has a long and successful heritage working with Microsoft on the release of Windows platforms, delivering devices that provide exciting experiences, stunning performance, and superior compatibility. Intel fully expects this to continue with Windows 8.
Intel, Microsoft and our partners have been working closely together on testing and validation to ensure delivery of a high-quality experience across the nearly 200 Intel-based designs that will start launching in October. Intel CEO Paul Otellini is on record as saying “Windows 8 is one of the best things that ever happened to Intel,” citing the importance of the touch interface coming to mainstream computing and the huge wave of exciting new Ultrabook™, tablet and convertible device innovations coming to the market.
