As previously reported the Steam platform is expected to be released on Apple’s OS X operating system by the end of the month. Valve’s entire range of video games, including Half-Life, Left 4 Dead 2 and the yet to be released Portal 2 will be available. It is unknown whether Valve will release Steam for OS X the same day as a release date is yet to be announced.

Valve said the number of participants in the UI update beta exceeded their expectations and also said there were over 25 thousand posts created in the beta user forums.

The beta was dubbed “a huge success” in the announcement and for Steam users who wish to view the new UI they can find out about and download the beta here.

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In light of addressing a very confused press and establishing a concrete release date for a very significant milestone in its corporate history, Microsoft has finally announced the official day that the Windows 7 operating system will be generally available to the world at large.

Without further hesitation, (What hesitation, you already have it in the header.sub.ed.) the official release date for Windows 7 is going to be Thursday, October 22nd, 2009. One detail we should note however is the fact that Microsoft has complete control over this launch and may decide to change the date at any time. To reach the milestone, Microsoft plans to wrap up development of the operating system by the middle or end of next month, Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview.

“We’re locked and loaded for the launch,” said Phil McKinney, Chief Technology Officer of HP’s computer unit. “The quality of code is just absolutely stellar.”

Microsoft has also stated that it will offer a “technology guarantee” program to those people who buy machines installed with Windows Vista within the few weeks prior to the launch of Windows 7. The few people in this situation will either receive a free or discounted copy of the new operating system. On another note, there have been hints suggesting that Microsoft might offer some sort of lower-cost upgrade to those who are already using Windows Vista.

Even though we now have a sound release date available, the Redmond-based software maker has yet to announce an official pricing strategy for its new crown jewel operating system. Hopefully there will be an update on this soon.