Mary Jo Foley been in touch with Microsoft and they say that the Beta will be announced in September at BUILD and that will be the only beta, there will be a release candidate in Janurary 2012 and it will RTM in April.
I think of something like this September, private Beta release (MSDN/Technet and ofc on the event itself)... but before that we might see a early beta or leak of it. Q4 2011, sometime after September Public Beta begins Q2 2012, RC's Q3 2012, RTM leak Q4 2012, Official Release
I think that is too early talk about people satisfacted or not for Windows8..... We really dunno which more features will be implemented in 8 RTM, till now let me say that is a seven, more faster and easy to use, with a new features embedded(Pdf, webcam, immersive ie.... asf...) We have seen the new immersive UI and new start(very useful for tablets) but for everyday computer non worth idea(i dunno like at all) The last doubt will be the price... how much u will spend to have new features (u can freely add to 7 without paying?) and a new interface very useful and practical only for tablets? I think that MS will show us far far more better gui, features and news to make everyone spend more money than 7(off course will cost more...) Moreover now 8 is far better than 7, but i'll never pay a higher price of 7 to have features that today know and have.... So i'm partially agree with u Arcsn.... i dunno think 8 will be same Vista flop..... But only not worth of buying i think..... just my opinion!