SÃO PAULO – Bill Gates stated that Windows 7 is ready "at some point in 2009".

Gates spoke to an audience of economists and investors in Miami, where he participates in a forum on corporate philanthropy. Asked about the successor of Windows Vista, Gates stated that he will have "the new version ready sometime in 2009". "I'm very excited about the things this (Windows 7) can do in various ways," he said.

Gates avoided answering new questions about Windows 7. Microsoft Chairman did not clarify, for example, whether it referred to having a test version ready or actually having the operating system completed in 2009.

On Microsoft's schedule, the Windows 7 debut is scheduled for 2010, at least three years after Windows Vista is released commercially. Among the new features promised for version 7 are new ways to operate the system, among them using touch technologies on the monitor.