Microsoft could be well on its way to meeting its rumoured August 2013 shipment date for the next version of Windows, if sources speaking to ZDNet are to be believed.
Windows Blue is tipped to be the first operating system in Microsoft's long-rumoured 'accelerated schedule'. It aims to bring a new version of Windows on a yearly basis, as opposed to longer stretches, like the three year gap between Windows 7 and Windows 8.
The first milestone in the development of Windows Blue has been reached, ZDNet claims, and supposedly the halfway point on the development schedule. It's reckoned that Windows Blue will then move on to milestone 2, or 'M2', which will be the last and final build of the rumoured update.
Microsoft is yet to breathe a word about any of its new software, or how it will be delivered. In the past, the company has offered consumer previews of its operating systems before they're released, but if there really is a shorter development time in the works, it's anyone's guess whether this would still happen.
There are also rumours that the Redmond company is working on Windows Phone Blue, ZDNet reports, which -- much like Windows Phone 8 -- will run on the same codebase as its desktop counterpart. It's possible the two will share a unified app store, meaning that apps will have to be programmed to be capable of running on all Windows devices, regardless of size or screen resolution.
Screenshots purportedly showing off Windows Blue were recently spied by Win8china. They suggest that Windows Blue will be running atop Windows Kernel version 6.3, which is a more recent version than the kernel in Windows 7, which ran on 6.1.
Job postings on Microsoft's website, which were later removed, suggest Windows Blue will focus on improvements to the UI and the user experience -- elements that Microsoft only recently overhauled in Windows 8.
I could speculate about Windows Blue until I was blue in the face, but what do you think? Are cheap, annual, incremental updates exactly what you've been waiting for from Microsoft? Or would you prefer a major overhaul every three years? Let me know in the comments section below, or head on over to our Facebook page.
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anonymous 20 February, 2013 23:14
Lets hope they find a way to unify switching between running, windows store apps, windows desktop applications and pinned web pages on the start screen. I would also welcome user definable key shortcuts and an easier way to display the running apps window, rather than windows + tab or top left hot corner. Even pressing tab and it not disappearing when released would be better. Microsoft also need official Facebook and Twitter windows store apps even if they have to write them, themselves. There is also too many apps switching to web pages when a task gets complicated. Finally pop3 for mail app would be good.
anonymous 21 February, 2013 05:39
I'm faily I.T. literate but to be honest for most daily tasks I still rely on my nice older pc still running XP. My laptop has Win 7, my tablet and smartphone Jelly Bean yet my old 4gb ram pc is still keeping up with all I use it for on a daily basis including wireless printing and is still fast.
anonymous 21 February, 2013 12:29
Really don't see the point. Windows 8 is horrible while Vista and 7 are perfectly functional.
andydandy 21 February, 2013 22:00
Microsoft working on more misery it seems. Windows 8 is awful, so you will have to update to replace it.
anonymous 21 February, 2013 22:11
I think I would prefer the cheap annual incremental updates because looking at the windows 8, The problem with it was the sudden change in its interface, This meant people found it quite hard to use or adapt to. However with this new agenda this will introduce people to the changes a lot slower e.g the older generation thereby causing less of a row
anonymous 22 February, 2013 09:39
I'm no hardcore Mac user, i actually use Windows 95% of the time (Windows 7 that is). But I think Microsoft need to learn from apple on this one. Do gradual changes instead of a complete overhaul.
I think they should bring back the start bar, but make the start menu slightly different and have something like Mac's Launchpad for apps.
anonymous 22 February, 2013 10:44
People need to stop jumping on the anti-windows 8 bandwagon, perhaps use it for more than 5 minutes before slagging it off so much. You can access a non-graphical version (IE Text menu only no icons) of the original start menu by pressing Start-X. The only thing not in this menu is the programs themselves, which is easily accessible as it is.
Performances have actually been gained with Windows 8 than when I was running windows 7 and integreation with services has never been better.
Stop being sheep
anonymous 22 February, 2013 11:04
I agree - while I can't stand the new interface (I don't have a touch screen) the OS is DEFINITELY a lot faster than Windows 7, its more responsive and boots in under half the time (under 10seconds from POST with an ssd)
I used Ex7forW8 to install the Win7 interface, best of both worlds now
anonymous 23 February, 2013 11:37
I may well be off the mark here, but will users have to re-pay for Windows Blue?
Will it be delivered as an update to Windows 8 users or will we be expected to fork out even more amounts of money to upgrade to Windows Blue - less than a year after Windows 8 was launched to the public?
Of course, nobody has concrete information at the moment, but I was wondering whether it would have to be re-purchased or whether Microsoft would push it through as an update to current Win8 users?