Microsoft Corp., world’s largest software maker, has today made the promise to launch Windows XP 64-bit Edition to public with Longhorn, the company’s next generation of Windows operating system, coming down the pipeline next year.

Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates promised hardware vendors that Longhorn is right on schedule and the upcoming version should start shipping next year, undoubtedly.

In order to fill the gap between Longhorn and current 32-bit Windows XP platform, the software maker has made the decision to introduce a 64-bit version of Windows XP.

In Longhorn, however, Bill Gates promises better security, richer graphics, better organization and search of information stored on PCs and higher performance. "We're ready to go with Longhorn," he said in his keynote speech at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle.

According to Gates, it’s a way of Microsoft to keep customers satisfied before another major operating system release.

While Microsoft seems to be optimistic about their strategic plan, industry analysts fear Microsoft’s roadmaps. Michael Cherry, Analyst, Directions of Microsoft, said microprocessor makers like Intel and AMD as well as Microsoft will face lower sales due to such delays.

The Kirkland, Washington based independent researcher also said, "They're [Microsoft] in a dangerous position right now."

The software giant has recently launched an advertising campaign promoting Windows XP since it faced growth only in single digit numbers (around eight percent). Since 1986, when Microsoft became an IPO, the company has only seen the growth in double digits.

Apple, Computer Inc., on the other hand, is targeting Microsoft with its next operating system upgrade, codenamed Mac OS X Tiger. Apple said its operating system offer features that Microsoft promises in Longhorn, causing Microsoft to take this threat seriously.