In addition to announcing updated sales numbers for it’s Windows 8 operating system, Microsoft has revealed that it will make a preview version of it’s next update to Windows 8, Windows Blue available to the public at it’s BUILD Conference this June.
Possible Windows Blue features and changes have been leaking for months. So far the company seems to be attempting to deal with a lot of the hassle that comes along with owning a Windows 8 device, mainly the dual nature of the Metro interface and the Desktop. Leaked improvements include an integrated SkyDrive application for syncing files and settings automatically, the inclusion of more settings into the Metro environment, and new system requirements that should allow the operating system to ship or devices with smaller screens than 10.1 inches. According to a post at Blogging Windows, this will be a public preview, meaning even those not in attendance at the BUILD will be able to download the operating system and install it on their machines.
Microsoft plans to make a final version of Windows Blue available to users sometime this fall.
This morning the company announced that it had sold 100 million licenses of Windows 8, making it as much of a hot seller as it’s predecessor, Windows 7. That’s certainly isn’t bad news for Microsoft, the company has had a constant battle with critics over the popularity and usability of Windows 8 since it was released last October. Regardless, the company remains quiet on actual Windows 8 activation numbers and since these licensing could have been used on PCs that haven’t been sold to consumers, we’ll have to wait to pass judgment on how the operating system is performing.
BUILD is scheduled to begin June 26th and conclude on June 28th.
Can’t wait. I am one of those souls who jumps aboard the first car moat the time (Windows Phone 8 the exception). So I am primed for this.
Last year I had cold feet about putting the previews on my primary machine and so picked up an Acer W7 tablet and blew it away the first night. Travis mentioned lusting after small tiles. There are several things in the works to customize the Start Screen. The one I am waiting for is the complete sync of the screen. Not only the background but also the installed apps and order and set up. When I log in with my primary account on either the laptop, or my surface or my Acer, it should look and feel the same. Granted, there are some apps I would not use on the laptop due to their heavy touch nature, but it should be completely familiar. By the same token, when I switch to my other ID, I should in turn see the apps and pinned stemson all machines.
As well, more of the settings are being brought to the Modern side. I hate having go to the desktop control panel to find some things, for example more control over which updated to install, rather than finding the information on the Modern side.
Start button> mehhh. I am one who is perfectly comfortable on touch or non-touch. Mouse and keyboard, or soft keyboard. I don’t understand the fuss.