Microsoft Confirms Windows Blue, Reveals Changes

[rudrax]

Microsoft has already confirmed an “internal set of plans” called Blue, but no other details on the project have been provided until now.

Tami Reller, Microsoft’s chief marketing officer and chief financial officer, confirmed in an interview posted on the official Windows blog that a Blue upgrade was coming “later this year,” while also revealing a few details about the upgrade.

Reller said that Blue would serve as the foundation for a wider array of devices, most likely smaller tablets, suggesting that 8-inch tablets powered by the new operating system were indeed on their way.

“Windows Blue is a codename for an update that will be available later this year, building on the bold vision set forward with Windows 8 to deliver the next generation of tablets and PCs,” Reller said.

“It will deliver the latest new innovations across an increasingly broad array of form factors of all sizes, display, battery life and performance, while creating new opportunities for our ecosystem. It will provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options for work and play.”

While Reller provided absolutely no details on the launch date, sources familiar with the matter hinted that Windows Blue could arrive in beta version in June at the BUILD developer conference. The full version of the operating system is in the pipeline for an August or September release.

Several builds have already been leaked, giving us a glimpse into the changes that could be brought by this new Windows version.

It appears that the Redmond-based tech giant is working to improve not only the user interface, but also the Metro environment, with some sources hinting that an option to skip the Start Screen and boot directly to desktop is also possible.

Last but not least, Windows Blue is also rumored to witness the return of the Start button, as Microsoft has expressed its intentions to listen to customer feedback and make future products a bit more familiar.

:view: Source

[Mr Orus]

B) thanks for sharing :coolwink:

[xflash]

anything news about start button?

[DKT27]

Microsoft: Windows 8.1 will be available in June as a public preview

Windows chief Julie Larson-Green has confirmed a public preview of Windows 8.1 will be available in June, as well as some new hardware "in the next few weeks" that could hint at smaller tablets.

Speaking at the Wired Business Conference, Windows chief Julie Larson-Green has confirmed we'll see a public preview of Windows 8.1, codenamed "Blue," in June. The operating system is expected to be released to manufacturing in late summer and will bring a plethora of new features, including more customization options, new apps, and a modern file browser for the Start screen interface.

In the past weeks, we have seen a number of leaked builds of Windows 8.1, the most recent of which was build 9385. The builds have exposed numerous new features, including a new Start screen, a wider variety of customization options and an updated settings panel.

Larson-Green went on to talk about new hardware that we may see "in a few weeks." This likely refers to the smaller Windows 8 tablets that have been rumored for several months as well as new PCs that were shown off at Computex in June.

In addition to stating that Windows 8.1 will be available at BUILD, Larson-Green also talked briefly about the Start menu, saying that it would not be returning. What is important to note is that she did not say that the Start button was out of the question, so it could be possible that we will see the button's return much like the developer preview of Windows 8. This aligns to previous rumors regarding the Start button's return that indicated the button would simply return users to the Start screen.

Seeing that we will be getting our hands on the Public preview in late June, this makes it seem highly plausible that the rumors stating the platform would hit RTM in late summer are accurate. Knowing this, Microsoft's rapid release schedule is coming together nicely with the first major update arriving well before the product hits its one-year retail anniversary.

View: Original Article

[calguyhunk]

Too bad it will remove support for start is back by removing the native start menu code from it completely :(

[dcs18]

anything news about start button?

Try to read the last paragraph if you will. :)

[sensez]

Windows 8.1 Developer Preview build 9391 reportedly being distributed to OEM partners

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-81-developer-preview-build-9391-reportedly-being-distributed-oem-partners

[sensez]

"Computer" renamed to "This PC" in latest Windows 8.1 build...

http://www.neowin.net/news/computer-renamed-to-this-pc-in-latest-windows-81-build

[Mr Orus]

anything news about start button?

Maybe only this

:huh: Source of origin of this screenshot? :think:

[mjall]

great stuff

[Mr Orus]

great stuff

:closedeyes: Which language do you speak?

[mjall]

great stuff

:closedeyes: Which language do you speak?

I speak the MS language :rolleyes:

[DKT27]

Windows 8.1 Developer Preview build 9391 reportedly being distributed to OEM partners

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-81-developer-preview-build-9391-reportedly-being-distributed-oem-partners

For a second I thought they sent the final version, when the beta isn't released yet. :P

[sensez]

Me too :D

Julie Larson-Green:

739 fixes to Windows 8 since its release in October of 2012...

http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsofts-julie-larson-green-739-fixes-windows-8-its-release-october-2012

[DesiPirate]

It appears that the Redmond-based tech giant is working to improve not only the user interface, but also the Metro environment, with some sources hinting that an option to skip the Start Screen and boot directly to desktop is also possible

A simple skip to start screen option with windows 8 would have saved MS from a lot of troubles. :tooth:

[dcs18]

It appears that the Redmond-based tech giant is working to improve not only the user interface, but also the Metro environment, with some sources hinting that an option to skip the Start Screen and boot directly to desktop is also possible.

The option to skip directly to the Desktop is available to Windows 8 Users, too - without having to employ any Start Menu alternative. Beginners and the general public cannot be expected to be aware of that option, though - since it's an hidden option.

It would most certainly help Microsoft if Windows Blue came with that option available on the interface.

[tezza]

Today at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Tami Reller shared with the audience that the update previously referred to as “Windows Blue” will be called Windows 8.1and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

[dcs18]

Microsoft confirms Windows Blue will be called Windows 8.1, a free Windows 8 update via the Windows Store

[tezza]

Wonder why through the Windows Store and not automatic update.

Edit

Reller emphasized that Microsoft's strategy in using the Windows Store to deliver Blue is focused around giving users choice about when they deploy the coming update.

"Windows 8.1 will be a packaged set of updates which customers can say when they are ready (to deploy)," she said.

[dcs18]

That's a PITA - I've disabled my Store. <_<

[jonnyj]

does this mean you will need genuine license to get update from store ?

[tezza]

Who knows

[Diego T.]

As long as you Activated by Skype it will be genuine and not with a patch or something weird, I guess. LOL

[tezza]

As long as you Activated by Skype it will be genuine and not with a patch or something weird, I guess. LOL

I think his Win8 is activated by MTK or similar method.

Edit

I posted the reason for the update coming through the Windows Store, a few posts back, but still think it's strange not an automatic update. How would users be notified of this if they dont use the Store for one ?

[dcs18]

I wouldn't worry about this little hurdle - going by history, Microsoft service packs have always been made available through redistributable installers. :)