OK, So I might be a little late with the news, but Microsoft has announced the official release date for Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005 and BizTalk 2006 to be during "the week of" November 7th.

The full press release from Microsoft is here:
Microsoft Sets Visual Studio, SQL Server, BizTalk Server Launch Date: Microsoft readies next-generation tools and data platform and demonstrates continued customer, partner and product momentum leading into launch.