Longhorn? Why?

I just got through reading an article on Extremetech.com http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s%253D201%2526a%253D9277,00.asp about how Microsoft will be releasing an OS between XP and Blackcomb. The article suggests that MS might have two reasons for this interim OS. 1. MS might not be completely ready to release a .Net OS 2. The Justice department case and any agreements MS might make with them.

I wonder if there might be one other reason for this interim OS. Could this have anything to do with the hack on the MS Network last October? They did say that the hacker got access to source code for a future software program.

Does anyone have toughts or even real knowledge about this.