Microsoft clearly said that they would not have a OS run as long as XP did ever again. They also clearly said that they would release a Major Service Pack at the 2 year mark and then a new OS which is a development of the previous OS at the 4 Year Mark.

That was said when Vista was released and the time line is about right ever since. About 4 Years after Vista was released we got 7 then about 2 years latter we got SP1 for 7 and now we are looking at 8 which is a development of 7 which was a development of Vista.

I see 8 as purely a Developed Vista and it being adapted for the Mobile Platform in conjunction with the now much smaller Desktop Market. 8 Is OK provided that you can avoid the Metro Interface on the Desktop, however no one is claiming that it's a new product just a developed 7 which again was a developed Vista.

Col