Windows Blue Leak Confirms 8.x Naming Scheme; Microsoft Slashing RT Fee
The next Windows release will be v8.1 according to another leaked build.
As expected, Microsoft's Windows Blue release blanket will consist of Windows Pro 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, slated to hit RTM around August of 2013. The news is based on a screenshot from a more recent version of Windows 8, Build 9375, which follows the Build 9364 version that was leaked just last week.
Unnamed sources have confirmed with ZDNet that the latest screenshot is no April Fools' joke, and that Microsoft is expected to roll out the incremental updates in August. The news backs up comments made by Microsoft executives like Windows Chief Financial Officer Tami Reller who said that Windows 8 is a "product of multiple selling seasons".
The recent leak showed that the Redmond company isn't planning to launch a whole new OS, but to make enhancements and changes that surpass a mere Service Pack. Some critics claim the update will make the desktop even more irrelevant by pushing additional core utilities to the Modern UI interface.
Currently there's no indication that Microsoft plans to bring the Start button back despite consumers complaining over the missing feature long before the OS went retail. If anything, this feature should have a toggle switch, allowing those upgrading to Windows 8 to slowly get used to the idea rather than cut them off from the Start menu completely.
Meanwhile, rumors of Microsoft cutting Windows RT licensing fees has surfaced again, this time by Topeka Capital analyst Brian White. He's currently on a "China-Taiwan Technology Tour" talking to people in the industry who claim that Microsoft wants to take on Android by reducing the price of Windows 8 for tablets by 35- to 40-percent.
The problem Microsoft faces is that Google offers the Android OS for free. Google also doesn't depend on software and hardware sales, but rather revenue generated from ads. Microsoft's meat and potatoes is Windows although its Xbox and Windows Phone divisions help keep Steve Blamer's pockets full of cash. That said, Microsoft may not be able to fully compete because OEMs will likely choose a free OS over one with a licensing fee.
In addition to fighting Android, Microsoft is also trying to lure in Mac and iOS developers by offering free copies of Windows 8 Pro and Parallels Desktop 8 via a QuickStart kit on a USB stick. Actually it's not free: potential developers are required to donate $25 to one of three charities, and $8 for shipping ($16 outside the U.S.).
"Costs to purchase software and licensing can be difficult if you’re that startup looking for your first big breakthrough," said Sandeep Singhal, Group Program Manager, Internet Explorer. "Today we’re making it just a little easier with a new combo offer."
For more information about the QuickStart Kit, head here.
The need to explore mobile markets is very understandable, but they are taking their main business for granted.
The need to explore mobile markets is very understandable, but they are taking their main business for granted.
Second, I agree with you. I honestly have nothing truly against Windows 8. However, from my own experience I couldn't get used to Window8.....Maybe I don't like change or maybe I like the easy to use windows 7. Microsoft just needs to admit they made a mistake with windows 8 and give us the opition for our UI. Not just some half baked one they have now.
Personally I'm willing to try Windows 8.1 IF it's possible for the new Metro to do every Win7 can do and better with a little setting up.
Why can't M$ simply make the product line more like this: looks much more simple and intuitive
Windows 8 Phone - (ARM & x86), - dump the old Windows phone 8 if RT is better.
Windows 8 Tablet - like the phone version but for larger touch screens & no calling (ARM & x86)
Windows 8 Home, Pro, Ultimate (ARM & x64) for desktops that use a real mouse & keyboard.
All versions will use Metro (after it's fixed), same kernel, same libraries, etc.
-my 2 cents
anyway regarding no start menu, after using a while i really don't need them anymore sure it feel missing something but as u get used to win8. you don't really need start menu anymore
Every other windows is a screw up, just that they make that screw up in a 8.1 flavor as well this time.
After burning their finger on the matches 4-5 times now... don't MS ever learn?
What are you on about? Start Menu is just a hub for shortcuts and it doesn't require 'separate sets of code'. That's why Classic Shell and other such tools were so easily made/integrated into Windows 8.
If I had found my Windows 7 disk when I changed the HDD in my computer, I would not have buy W8 at 49$ before christmas and installed it. A 2 minutes google search point me to classicshell to add a start button and boot directly to desktop instead of the other UI.
Sure, I could have spend lot of time to write to every forum about how bad is Windows 8 and how crap is the new UI. Or, how it makes my mother sad and killed my cat.
I just choose a more constructive option, that had me to use IE to go to ninite.com and download all my apps and got them installed. Once rebooted, Windows 8 was just like W7 without aero..
Why do I say that? (1) Because several job postings say that engineers are already testing Windows 9 on phones. If Windows 9 isn't due until November 2014, would they already be testing it now... or would they be testing Windows Blue? (2) Another rumor was that IE11 will be released with Windows 9. Okay, makes sense, but then why is it being integrated into Windows Blue? Would Microsoft really release a beta browser with an OS update (Windows Blue)? I doubt it. (3) Microsoft has said that they're going to speed up their update schedule. Well, is calling Windows Blue "Windows 8.1" really speeding anything up if Windows 9 won't be released until 2.5 years after Windows 8? (4) The kernel number for Windows Blue has increased to "6.2" (1/10th of a point), which is usually reserved for a new OS number, not a service pack. (5) Why give a code name to a service pack... or to just bump up the kernel number? I suspect that Windows Blue includes a lot more changes than are being leaked.
Again, this is all speculation on my part & I have no inside knowledge.