Chris Keroack, Microsoft’s Release Manager for Windows XP Service Pack 3 has announced on the TechNet Forums the availablity of Windows XP Service Pack 3 on April 29th.
Nick MacKechnie, Microsoft Senior Technical Account Manager in New Zealand posted THEN removed the following Windows XP SP3 release schedule:
Apr-21 = RTM (Release to Manufacturing)
Apr-21 = OEM Channel
Apr-29 = Windows Update
Apr-29 = Download Center
May-02 = MSDN/Technet Download
May-19 = Windows XP SP3 Fulfillment Media
Jun-01 = Volume Customers via Download
Jun-10 = Automatic Updates
Windows XP Service Pack (SP3) includes all previously released updates for Windows XP, including security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes. It contains a small number of new updates, that can help make it easier for Windows XP customers to be sure their system is up-to-date, but should not significantly change their Windows XP experience. Enhancements to Windows XP SP3 (such as, for example, NAP) will make it easier for corporate customers to co-manage both operating systems within their corporate environments, as customers are gradually moving to Windows Vista via hardware refresh.
Windows XP SP3 Resources:
- New functionality included in this service pack
- Previously available functionality
- Apple computers
- Custom installation
- Networking
- Printing
- Remote desktop connection
The Road to Know Where 
It seems microsoft is in real mess, and not able to conclude around which either way to go…On one hand they are forcing the manufacturers with Vista compatible PC and on the other hand are takeing along XP service pack release, which they even cant avoid as lot of resource have be soaked there.To the height it is that they are some where with a new OS Windows 7 in the News