Windows “Blue” A Free Update For Windows 8, Preview Coming June 26th

Well after a tonne of speculation, rumours and general chit-chat about Windows Blue (8.1), Microsoft have finally spilled the beans. According to the official Microsoft blog Windows Blue will be an update for Windows 8 and not a standalone new operating system, or anything else that was speculated. Windows Blue was apparently the code-name and Windows 8.1 is now its “official” name, to signify it is an updated iteration of Windows 8.

More importantly Microsoft says that Windows 8.1 will be an entirely free download available for Windows 8 customers through the Windows store. I respect this move by Microsoft as it is definitely the right one, they will certainly gain a lot of credibility with Windows users by offering this update for free. They did not disclose the details on how the update is delivered but no doubt there is a mechanism in place to ensure only genuine (aka not pirated) Windows 8 operating systems are eligible for the free update.

Microsoft have also announced that the public preview of Windows 8.1 will begin on June the 26th timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco. The preview will be available for Windows 8 and Windows RT users.

What are your thoughts on this news from Microsoft? Could this be enough to push you towards Windows 8? Or are you going to wait and see how good Windows 8.1 is first?

You can read Microsoft’s full statement below:

Windows 8 was built for a world that blends our work and our personal lives, a world where we expect high quality touch experiences everywhere, and a world that is always on the go and always connected. Windows 8 redefines our market from PCs to mobile computing.

We are pleased with the progress we’ve seen with Windows 8 so far.

Our OEM partners have delivered tablets, touch laptops, and convertibles that bring the vision of Windows 8 and mobile computing to life. They have introduced some incredible (and unique) new form factors like the Dell XPS 12, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13, the Sony VAIO Tap 20, or the recently announced Acer Aspire R7. And today at retail, you can find a powerful mobile touch laptop starting at just over $400.

We now have more than 70,000 apps in the Windows Store (the online app store for Windows) – apps such as Twitter, eBay, Netflix, CNN and games like Temple Run: Brave, Bejeweled LIVE and Angry Birds Star Wars and many others.

As PCs continue to evolve for this world of mobile computing, so does Windows 8.

Today at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Tami Reller shared with the audience that the update previously referred to as “Windows Blue” will be called Windows 8.1and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

During her remarks today, Tami reiterated our goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey we first began with Windows 8 last fall. Windows 8.1 will help us to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets with our OEM partners and to deliver the experiences customers— both consumers and businesses alike —need and will just expect moving forward.

Today, there are more devices – and choice – allowing you to pick the right Windows 8 device that meets your needs. Windows 8 provides a great experience for consuming and creating content, for both work and play and on the go. And you’ll immediately benefit from continual updates – whether it’s from app updates through the Windows Store, performance updates through Windows Update or the Windows 8.1 update later this year.

We have much more to share about Windows 8.1 in the coming weeks. We will also be making a public preview of Windows 8.1 available starting on June 26, timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco. The preview will be available for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

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