Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 may have barely settled in the market, but that hasn't stopped Microsoft from working on an update for their newest platforms. The rumored update is called ‘Windows Blue’ (possibly a codename) and may possibly be ready to replace Windows 8 in just a few months.The release could very well be Microsoft’s re-imagination of their service packs, but promise to offer a few tweaks and improvements to the Windows 8 user interface. The report suggests that Microsoft will have a different approach with Windows Blue, which will include its pricing. Microsoft also wants Windows Blue to be on everyone’s computer, which makes us wonder if the update could be released for free to ensure users upgrade.
Another interesting bit of information in the report is regarding the Windows Blue SDK, which will apparently replace the Windows 8 SDK. Windows 8 legacy apps will continue to run on Windows Blue, but the change in the SDK could imply that the apps will be universal and run on any Windows device ranging from phones, tablets and PCs.
Microsoft is also reported to be planning on upgrading Windows more frequently, something they could have picked up from Apple’s latest approach. We could likely expect features like the resizable Live Titles find their way to the Windows platform.
While all these features could easily be expected on the next version of Windows, what surprises us most is the mid-2013 launch date. Microsoft generally starts developing their next version of Windows almost immediately, but we don’t see the outcome until years later. But it does make sense that Microsoft will want to compete with the likes of Apple and Google who release new versions of their mobile software annually.
We are still uncertain how this will impact Windows desktop users, but we feel the Windows RT based devices like the Microsoft Surface will benefit the most.