Microsoft Talks a Little More About Windows Blue
Still keeping mum on the details, though.
Microsoft first acknowledged the existence of Windows Blue back in later March. The company's VP of Corporate Communications, Frank X. Shaw, talked about the next incremental release of Windows 8 on the official Microsoft blog. The reveal wasn't surprising, considering the build had already been leaked and exposed for all to see. Still, it was nice to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. Now, Microsoft is talking about Blue again.
In a Q&A post regarding the first six months of Windows 8, Microsoft's Tami Reller described Windows Blue as part of a broader effort to advance devices and services for Microsoft. She also revealed that the update will be available later this year, will continue on Windows 8's path toward the next generation of PC and incorporate customer feedback.
"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," Reller said. "It will provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options for work and play. The Windows Blue update is also an opportunity for us to respond to the customer feedback that we’ve been closely listening to since the launch of Windows 8 and Windows RT."
Unfortunately, Reller offered no information on when we can expect an official version of Windows Blue to be released. In the mean time, why not check out our article on the leaked versions to see what Microsoft has in store for us?

You're asking the wrong question.
Why remove an OPTION from users and IMPOSE something instead?
Some want Metro interface, some want classic desktop and start button. Give the OPTION to choose and you've satisfied both camps, doubling sales as a direct result. You'll have plenty of time to see if/how fast the new interface catches on, and even more time to make it exclusive when the number of Start button users becomes irrelevant.
Everyone wants the start button, what is wrong with you people.
Everyone wants the start button, what is wrong with you people.
"You people"?! What do you mean by "you people"?!!!
I find that now that I am use to it I am more productive. Is it perfect, no. They need to work on a few things but it works well and makes using my PC faster.
Then there is performance. Performance of storage is inferior on Windows 8. My PCIe drive and SATA3 SSD's are about 10-15 percent slower in 8.
I just reinstalled Windows 8 last week and had 1.3GB of updates to run. I counted up functionality vs security updates and it was 950MB functionality and 350MB security. That is a lot of fixing for an OS that is only 6 months old. Fixing is good, but there has to be some degree of proper functionality from the initial release.
Which means lowers multitasking, i'm using windows 8 right now and the first thing i did was download something to fix windows 8, however other people are not so nice i had to put windows 7 on many different PC's because people hated 8 and the best i've heard from someone was they got used to it.
You're asking the wrong question.
Why remove an OPTION from users and IMPOSE something instead?
Some want Metro interface, some want classic desktop and start button. Give the OPTION to choose and you've satisfied both camps, doubling sales as a direct result. You'll have plenty of time to see if/how fast the new interface catches on, and even more time to make it exclusive when the number of Start button users becomes irrelevant.
Yes, that fills me with hope that after two years they will make something that doesn't suck hairy balls. Maybe even fix WP8 so that it's actually better than WM5 in at least something else than being pretty.
Nah, I won't let them get my hopes high to get them brutally crushed again.
You're asking the wrong question.
Why remove an OPTION from users and IMPOSE something instead?
Some want Metro interface, some want classic desktop and start button. Give the OPTION to choose and you've satisfied both camps, doubling sales as a direct result. You'll have plenty of time to see if/how fast the new interface catches on, and even more time to make it exclusive when the number of Start button users becomes irrelevant.
people who want a start menu probably don't even use window 8. Its like asking for the option of having a tricycle when you have a car. There is no reason not to use the metro menu, it litterally takes less than a minute to learn.
Which means lowers multitasking, i'm using windows 8 right now and the first thing i did was download something to fix windows 8, however other people are not so nice i had to put windows 7 on many different PC's because people hated 8 and the best i've heard from someone was they got used to it.
When do you need your whole screen when you access the start menu? I have never had such an instant be needed. The transition is instant for opening and closing the metro screen. You still have everything you need once you leave. If thats not enough. The sidebars have most of the options you would probably use the start menu for anyways.
I use Windows 8 with Start8 and wish they would bring back the original native Start Menu so I don't need a third-party program to make Windows how I like it. Anyone with half a brain should have made metro optional on Windows installation.
Just because something works for you and your fine with it does not mean it's going to be the same for another person. On a tablet metro is great, but on a desktop PC I feel very uncomfortable with it in it's current form.
I love the classic start menu, why fix what's not broken?
Some of us power users have over 50-100 programs installed. For me the start menu lets me quickly access my documents, my computer, control panel, networks, and other locations, I feel comfortable with it way more than metro.
Dear Tami,
I glad you peeked out of the cupboard?, it`s been months since we have seen or heard from you!.
Have you made the amendments to windows 8 yet?
The one we talked about, giving the end user the choice of what style of UI they wish to use? You know Metro thingy bob, or the one that looks like windows 7 ?.
We should of given them that choice in the first place.
Come to think of it the sales of windows 8 may improve if we listen to the customer, that sounds like a jolly good Idea Tami.
Ps: Remember to put the Start button back once your finished playing with it!
Hide and seek was not one of you best games if I recall.
You do remember where it`s supposed to be don`t you Tami?
I hope you have not lost it.
That could be very bad news for us! so make sure you stick it where it belongs and should be Tami.
I mean it has been a few months now, and we want to show we have been listening to our customers after all Tami.
The problem with metro is that while it is great on a smartphone and a tablet, it feels like going back 15 years on a desktop environment. Yes, by all means include it in the desktop version, but keep OPTIONS for users by letting people choose between starting to a typical desktop environment or metro based on the individuals preferences.
And for those who find the Start button annoying, you don't have to use it if it's there. You can leave it alone and use your computer however you like without denying a feature much desired by others.
If Microsoft puts the options back in, Windows 8 will likely do very well. It is a very stable, very robust OS but the interface is the main thing people access an OS with, and if you don't give people what they want in an interface, you won't have good sales.
http://nbr.com/category/nbr-shows/ <--should be up by tomorrow (Wednesday)
Imposing a full screen launcher and full screen apps destroys user's focus and workflow the first time you use it as well as the millionth time, it is just a lame idea, it is plainly wrong, it is just a bad design choice that was rightfully bashed by all usability gurus for the last 30 years.
Re-designing a new API ground up to integrate adware and vendor lock-in to a single Store is not matter of getting accustomed to, it is plainly a bad commercial practice damaging all developers and any third part software distributors.
MS needs needs to kill Metro and Store centric commercial and design strategies to have a future, W8 user base is growing less the half what is needed to guarantee the sheer existing units replacement, that means the user base is quickly shrinking - and as their "new" strategy is based on imposing the new deal using its incumbent power, it will badly backfire in a fast crumble as soon as the wintel user base reaches a critical low point.
I find that now that I am use to it I am more productive. Is it perfect, no. They need to work on a few things but it works well and makes using my PC faster.
You do realise you can do the same in 7?
Plus I find that navigating by keyboard (which I often do if I only have one hand free) is far faster and clearer in 7.
people who want a start menu probably don't even use window 8. Its like asking for the option of having a tricycle when you have a car. There is no reason not to use the metro menu, it litterally takes less than a minute to learn.
...
When do you need your whole screen when you access the start menu? I have never had such an instant be needed. The transition is instant for opening and closing the metro screen. You still have everything you need once you leave. If thats not enough. The sidebars have most of the options you would probably use the start menu for anyways.
Again, you miss the actual point. People like to have options even more than what the actual options are. It's basic human psychology and someone at Microsoft should be hired to explain that to the design team.
It does not matter whether you prefer the classic UI or the Metro UI. It's all about having the OPTION to choose. Take that away from people and you'll have the reaction that you see all over the point-of-sales.
Imagine you're a customer that hates Metro UI with a passion. You have the option to choose the classic UI, so you still buy Windows 8 because that's how you plan to use it and you like it's security, stability, etc. You get it home, install it and set it up the way you always liked it. After a while, when you feel bored one afternoon or a weekend, you give Metro UI a shot, and discover it's utility.
From a hater, slowly you become an adopter, then gradually a convert. All that while the company (Microsoft) have still made that sale.
You see now what I mean?
I find that now that I am use to it I am more productive. Is it perfect, no. They need to work on a few things but it works well and makes using my PC faster.
You do realise you can do the same in 7?
Plus I find that navigating by keyboard (which I often do if I only have one hand free) is far faster and clearer in 7.
Uh yea, you can do some of the same things in Windows 7. Just does not work in the same way nor is it nearly as fast.