Rumors: Microsoft May Be Getting Rid Of Windows Numbering, Nokia Brand
Is Microsoft getting rid of numbers and identifiers in the Windows branding? That seems to be the case according to a confidential internal document. On the Microsoft Mobile front, the company is phasing out the Nokia branding, leaving devices to be known only as "Lumia." The Lumia 830 and Lumia 730 are supposedly the last devices to have the Nokia branding.
On the Windows Phone front, Microsoft is moving away from advertising phones with the Windows Phone branding. Instead, the company is looking to merely use the Windows brand, which seemingly backs up previous rumors that Microsoft plans to combine Windows Phone and Windows RT into one platform. (Notice, for example, that the Surface 2 doesn't sport the "RT" branding.)
There's also talk that Windows 9 will drop its numbering as well, pushing forward with merely just the Windows branding. That was made apparent in a batch of new screenshots stemming from a leaked build of Threshold, as well as an advertisement for the HTC One M8 for Windows, and an advertisement for a Windows-based laptop (previous adverts listed Windows 8).
Rumor has it that Microsoft plans to release the "Windows Technical Preview" later this month or at the beginning of October. The recent leak of Threshold Build 9834 reveals that Microsoft has added a search icon next to the Windows button, as well as an icon to move between virtual desktops and revamped icons for Internet Explorer and File Explorer. The Start Menu sports both the typical program access and Modern UI-based tiles such as Windows Store, Mail and News.
According to ZDnet, Windows testers will be able to share their opinions about features and how they function thanks to a special "mechanism." These features will be rolled out in regular Threshold updates. One feature that might not remain in Windows is the Charms Bar, although ZDnet reports that it may remain part of the Threshold Enterprise Tech Preview. One screenshot taken from the leaked build suggests that replacing Charms will likely be a drop-down menu in apps that sports some of the Charms functionality, including Share, Play, Print, Project, Settings and Full Screen.
Of course, because Windows Threshold is still a work in progress, all of these "leaked" changes and additions might not end up in the final product.
Follow Kevin Parrish @exfileme. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
-
Blaise170 I saw the news a few days ago. Maybe it will ease "consumer confusion" whatever that means, but can you imagine working in my IT department? Hi, I have this computer with Windows, can you fix it?Reply -
memadmax Why bother sharing our "opinion" for?Reply
They didn't listen to us last time, and that's the truth...
They just want us for bug and vulnerability hunts... -
TechyInAZ I'm glad that windows is making their name changes, since windows 8 and RT brought a ton of confusion. At least Microsoft is fixing their windows naming system.Reply -
stevejnb Reply14154668 said:Why bother sharing our "opinion" for?
They didn't listen to us last time, and that's the truth...
They just want us for bug and vulnerability hunts...
Actually, they gave me a great deal of what I was asking for - an OS that was 100% as capable as Windows 7 that also had an interface suitable for ultra portable devices as well. Go figure, it's my favourite version of Windows yet and is on possibly my favourite computing device that I have ever owned, for what it lets me do.
I get the feeling that you people who were screaming "WE WANT A NEW WINDOWS JUST LIKE WINDOWS 7!" sometimes forget that Windows 7 still works just fine and dandy if that's what you want... -
RCguitarist Anyone who buys anything from the "windows store" is an idiot. Hey microsoft, i do not want that store taking up space on my SSD. Make it optional.Reply -
anneoneamouse "I'd like to buy a copy of windows please, for a desktop. "Reply
"Certainly Sir, which version would you like- Windows, Windows, or the latest generation, Windows?" -
christinebcw I understand Microsoft exec's are happy with this possible change since they won't be threatened with removing shoes and socks when subbing at the Tech Support desks.Reply
"Thank you for calling Microsoft. Which Windows are you using? 7... 8... 9... 10... oops... hold on, let me pull off those socks again."
The marketeers will settle for this outcome, since some of those same execs were whining about "Why not call it WINDOWS AND THIS LI'L PIGGY WENT WEE WEE HOME?"
There are strong denials that those meetings also had one camp demanding the next version sequencing be based on "Dasher, Dancer, Prancer..." etc. -
Zepid Wasn't the whole purpose of buying Nokia to bring on the legendary name to give some credibility to the Windows Phone platform (after Microsoft decided to ditch the enterprise market when moving from WinPho 6.5 to 7)?Reply
I can't fathom the reason behind the Nokia branding being dropped, in fact I don't believe it. -
christinebcw Microsoft may be showing that far-sighted brilliance of theirs. After seeing Jobs and Yoko & Paul go at it over a certain fruit name, perhaps Microsoft is undermining a threatened Apple suit if Apple proceeds in acquiring a popular Scandinavian home-furnishings conglomerate. After all, it would easily fit within Apple's current product line - iPhone, iPad, iMac, iSpy, iWant, iHave, iKea.Reply
By avoiding the Kia-Kea wars, Microsoft might be saving oodles of money, this way. Plus maybe a certain South Korean car manufacturer has looked up American '70s auto history and discovered how Chevy's innovative Nova (one of the very first aluminum-block engines) actually earned the Spanish word, "No Va" as in "no go". Especially when so many Nova/NoVa's were seen. littering bar-ditches and service roads.
"OK, no more Kia stuff. No KIA is too insulting, so let's get rid of that name..."