No Live Webcast for Windows 8 Beta Launch

Tomorrow Microsoft are set to formally unveil the Windows 8 (beta) Consumer Preview to the world at the Mobile World Congress and many people around the world will be eagerly waiting for the live webcast that always accompanies these events.  Now however ComputerWorld are reporting that Microsoft will not be streaming the event live, and it is unclear if it will be shown afterwards either.
The event starts at 3pm local time (2pm GMT, 9am EST, 6am PST) and the download for the Consumer Preview is expected to go live at some time during the event itself.

It is unusual for Microsoft to not publicly stream such an event and many people will be disappointed.  There is no word yet on who will present the event though it will probably be fronted by Windows Chief Steven Sinofsky.  Some have speculated that the MCW event is an odd event at which to unveil a desktop operating system, and that it demonstrates how tablet-centric Microsoft’s new operating system is.  This is causing some concern, especially with IT Pros who will be viewing Windows 8 with caution.  Of course we’ll bring you all the latest news here at Windows8News as it breaks and full screenshot galleries of the Consumer Preview build.
The invitation only event will be held at the Hotel Miramar in Barcelona, Spain and much of the detail about the operating system has been shrouded in secrecy.  I have been at a Microsoft event today however and was told that Microsoft staff have been allowed to download and install the build on their own computers ahead of the unveiling event tomorrow.  Other than that company staff are under extremely strict secrecy rules and no more information was forthcoming.  It can only be assumed that after tomorrow is out of the way and Microsoft staff are allowed to begin talking about the product, that there will be huge sighs of relief from within the company corridors.