Over the past weekend Microsoft sent invites to a small number of testers over the weekend, announcing the imminent arrival of the much-anticipated first beta release of Longhorn. Beta 1 will be available for download in the coming weeks, giving users the first real look at the next-generation Windows release.

If you’re itching to try an alpha version, the latest release is 5048 or if you’d just like to examine the evolution of Longhorn, check this out.

After doing some more research I came across a peer who claimed to be a Microsoft employee in #longhorn@EFnet

(DigitlDUD) i work at microsoft
(DigitlDUD) its still under development
(DigitlDUD) they sent out invites
(DigitlDUD) they haven't released anything yet

:P