Maybe they ain’t got a beta, but they definitely have a name for the next version of Windows, which apparently Microsoft is rushing to release on the market.

In case you had hoped for an astonishing name, a new moniker, like Vista 2.0 or XP Reloaded, you will be disappointed.

According to Mike Nash, Corporate VP and Product Manager, the new operating system will be called pure and simple: Windows 7.

Fancy code-names like Blackcomb or Vienna, were thrown away and Windows 7 was apparently chosen not only because of chronology, but also to describe the fundamental concept behind the new version: simplicity.

Besides the name, Mike Nash’s post doesn’t reveal any other details about Windows 7, except they will have more to say in the coming weeks.

However, according to various rumors and reports, Windows 7 will see the light of day sometime in late 2009, maybe even in time for the Christmas season.

The bad news is that, according to other rumors, Windows 7 will not be entirely different from what we know right now as Windows Vista, but rather a mixture between the current OS and Windows Server 2008.

Officially, there are few known details about Windows 7. In fact, the new OS was abruptly announced by Bill Gates himself, in his speech held at the Inter-American Development Bank in Miami.

After several weeks, at the end of May, during the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference, Julie Larson-Green, Microsoft's corporate vice president for Windows experience program management, presented a series of features that were to be included in the upcoming Windows 7. Several multi-touch technology based applications were shown in the company’s attempt to get everyone hyped up about its product; some were photography-related features, with the help of which users can handle digital photos way easier; another was the use of an on-screen piano keyboard by direct screen contact.

However, the company would reveal a lot more at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC) and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in Los Angeles.

However, Microsoft’s decision to go back to simple numbers is like a trip back in time. The last version with a number attached was Windows 3.1 which was followed by versions with years, like Windows 95 and Windows 98. Also there are opinions, that this release is rather the eighth and not the seventh.

In addition, the analysts are speculating that the name of the future release was announced so soon especially to make people forget about Windows Vista and concentrate on Windows 7.

Despite its good sales, Windows Vista has apparently failed to gain the hearts of corporate clients. Also, the operating system was repeatedly criticized for its hunger for resources and its lack of real improvement over previous versions.

However, Microsoft defended Windows Vista, saying that it is its most stable sand secure system to date.