Report: Windows 8.1 Now Heading to OEMs
Win8China reports that Microsoft has released Windows 8.1 to OEMs, indicating that the free update for Windows 8 users should arrive soon.
The claim is based on build 9477 (or 9478 claims Russian site PCPro) which supposedly shows that the platform has entered the escrow stage, meaning that Windows 8.1 has become feature-locked. This build is said to be currently under testing by OEMs now and could mean that Microsoft may actually reach RTM by August as originally planned. Windows 8.1 Preview for consumers was made available on June 26, and Windows 8.1 Preview for Enterprise went live on July 30.
Meanwhile, the latest leaked build appearing in the news channel is 9471. In this version, Microsoft has reportedly made the learning curve of Windows 8 a bit easier, and now includes a narrow bar stretched out along the top or bottom screen of built-in apps featuring three dots on the right side, similar to what Microsoft does with Windows Phone 8 apps. These dots indicate that there are additional menu options that can be accessed by right-clicking on the screen, or by swiping from the top or bottom of the display or touchpad.
The leaked build also shows that several built-in apps will remind users to swipe in from the right bezel to reveal the Charms bar which includes a Start shortcut and other app-specific options. Microsoft's Help & Tips app, which was revealed in June but not included in the Windows 8.1 Preview, also makes a partial appearance, providing video clips on how to use SkyDrive (or whatever the cloud drive's new name will be), how to navigate the new Modern UI interface, and more.
CNET reports that Skype comes pre-installed in Build 9471, and Microsoft also makes available new Start screen backgrounds including a moving robot and a fire dragon that, like Android wallpaper, travels as the user swipes left or right across the screen. Several built-in apps have also been enhanced such as Mail, which allows users to move items via drag and drop, and open new multi-tasking windows.

wait, no, that is only for xbox users.
Glad the update is coming soon. been looking forward to it.
Wow, just wow, never in all my born days have I heard such a retarded statement. How about you hit the button marked "Desktop" and POOF as if by magic you get exactly what you wished for. DO YOU EVEN COMPUTER?!?
Honestly its not that bad. Not to even add in that Windows 8 is actually more secure than 7 is and as well the changes under the hood which make it actually perform better than 7 does make it a great OS. I find it funny though, Vista was considered bad because the majority of OEMs paired it to start with underpowered hardware and 8 is bad because of one change to the GUI yet performs better than Vista or 7 ever did to start.
Not a big deal as later down the line we will move to the same thing and then they will change again and people will complain then move on again. It happens all the time. DOS -> 95/98 -> XP -> Vista -> 7 -> 8. People hate change. That's all it is.
"Microsoft also makes available new Start screen backgrounds including a moving robot and a fire dragon that, like Android wallpaper, travels as the user swipes left or right across the screen."
I'd describe these more as animated backgrounds. "Travels"... well the backgrounds already travel.
Microsoft is done, time to start paying attention to Android and Chrome OS on the desktop. Or Linux.
The day of $100+ operating systems that don't do what people want, but the what company thinks people want, is over.
Thank goodness. Now we'll get better hardware for the same amount of cash.
I computer enough to know that windows 8 has been a complete cluster fuck and MS has failed at forcing a rubbish interface and its sales are a direct representation of that fact. But heck fanboys will be fanboys
Microsoft is done, time to start paying attention to Android and Chrome OS on the desktop. Or Linux.
The day of $100+ operating systems that don't do what people want, but the what company thinks people want, is over.
Thank goodness. Now we'll get better hardware for the same amount of cash.
For some, Win 8 represents a step backwards. So in their anger, they think: "heck, if I'm going to take one step back, might as well take ten".
So I guess that means you didn't know about the desktop button, seems to me the worst problem with Windows 8 is ignorant users