The release date for Windows 8, Microsoft's next-generation version of the long-running operating system is now known to be October 26. The company hasn't revealed a release date for its next-generation mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8, but sources speaking to technology website ZDNet said the release could happen during October.

The sources claim September is the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) date for Windows Phone 8 devices, while November is when the first devices will actually land. Microsoft could have launched the desktop/tablet and the mobile operating system simultaneously, or at least closely together, to push the Windows 8-Windows Phone 8 integration, but the sources aren't claiming it'll happen.

ZDNet had heard this too, but it "now looks like any kind or orchestrated launch event would seem to need to be later than October 26."

Speaking to The New York Times July 19, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said the release of Windows Phone 8 will happen during October. He also said the launch of Windows Phone 8 will provide a boom for Lumia devices, after the company reported losses following Q1 2012.

If Elop is correct, and Microsoft's full release for Windows Phone 8 is happening November 2012, then it seems Nokia will get a head start on the rest of the third-party manufacturers with its Lumia devices. Nokia and Microsoft's partnership is close, so it wouldn't be a surprise for Microsoft to allow Lumia devices an early release - perhaps October.

ZDNet also revealed that Office 15 could launch February 2013; RTM will happen in November, with it being added to the price list in October. A leaked roadmap, reported by us, earlier in 2012, also suggested a similar date for Office. Rumors had surfaced of a delay to Office 15 until May 2012, but the date seems to be bogus judging by ZDNet's sources.

Users will be right to point out that Office will be running on the Surface devices, launching around the same time as Windows 8, but the apps on the device will be a preview form of Office 15. Surface will include the Office 15 Home and Student versions, so perhaps the version will be feature limited.

It's slightly strange for Microsoft to launch 11 months into 2012 with its next-generation version of Windows Phone: developers can develop Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 apps simultaneously and, since, the latter's marketplace isn't booming, encouraging development seems logical.

Windows 8 launches October 26.