Dolby Says It Doesn’t See Windows 8 Shipping Until at Least October

The most interesting thing about Dolby’s deal with Microsoft was not in the press release announcing the deal, but rather a statement in the company’s earnings report on Thursday.

Dolby said it doesn’t expect the deal “to affect its fiscal 2012 outlook because Windows 8 is not expected to ship until Dolby’s fiscal 2013.” Since Dolby’s current fiscal year runs through the end of September, the company is saying it doesn’t see the software shipping until at least October.

Microsoft has not said when it will release a final version of Windows 8, but it is widely expected to do so this year. A consumer preview version was released in February and a near-final “release preview” is due in the first week of June.

A Microsoft representative declined to comment.

Update: In an interview, Dolby VP John Couling retreated somewhat from what was stated in the release, saying that only Microsoft can comment on when Windows will ship and noting that there is often a delay between when a PC ships and when Dolby receives royalty revenue.