Rumor - Microsoft to Release Windows Blue, the First Free

Although Windows 8 was launched last month, Microsoft is already giving the final touches to Windows Blue, the new Windows iteration that’s apparently supposed to come with some really huge surprises.

Citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, The Verge reports that Windows Blue is going to be released in mid-2013 and will comprise significant UI changes, most likely supposed to address the controversial Windows 8 features.

......If rumors prove to be true, Windows Blue won’t be available as a standalone OS, so users would need an older Windows to upgrade.

Read more at source:
Microsoft to Release Windows Blue, the First Free Windows Ever ? Rumors - Softpedia
 
So... it's an uber service pack for 8 that they are going to charge for?

Well if it makes Metro actually usable on a desktop and restores the desktop to primary functionality (There is no reason the two can't flow together a lot more naturally). Then I'd be all over that.

Don;t know about being made to have to buy a new windows update every 12 months though :/ never was a fan of that Apple model either :(
 

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System One

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    Windows 7/8
This seems like Windows 8 to Windows 8 in that magnitude. I don't know, but it just sounds like the Blue update is Windows 9. But the more curious upset here is that Microsoft will ONCE again be pushing developers off of Windows 8 style apps and for the Blue way, which I guess might mean windowing off apps or some type of app snap that current apps can't do yet.

And I did guess right that they will be taking Windows Phone 8's tile customizations into the next version of Windows. I am a witch.

I'm iffy about the yearly update cycle though. That's the main reason why most don't use apple is because of the yearly 10.8.40.20343.30203.848.34858923.4.3.23.xx update that is charged for 20 dollars. Also, if it's not a standalone installation, the question again will arise of how are we supposed to install Windows Blue onto a PC if it doesn't already have Windows on it? It seems this is were the BIOS keys in new Windows PCs come in... But my main concern is the length of time it might take if I have to install Windows 8 on a new hard drive, then burn through like a gig or so of network (waiting for a while :huh:) then installing it like a service pack. Believe you me, I quickly slipstreamed SP1 into Windows 7 because it became a SERIOUS pain in my groin to keep doing that!
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I don't even get all versions of call of duty which are yearly...Never going to do that with my primary desktop os either. I can always play in a test box or on a vm, no need to get each and every version..I can easily skip some.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
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    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Hi there
reminds me of the old "Pirated" Office Blue and "XP Black" edition versions.

Maybe it should come with the sticker shown

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
There have been rumours abut this for a while.

If it makes win8 into something we actually want - then great - even more so if it's a free service pack.

They may not have decided on the name. If 8 does ok - they may keep the name after applying Blue.

If 8 bombs as it deserves, they will want to distance themselves from it and call it something else.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Sounds like they're getting desperate to assimilate us.

There's another reason to go open-source.

WHY does MS continue to force users to go where they do NOT want to go.

I'm becoming more disillusioned with MS by the day, ATM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
Sounds like they're getting desperate to assimilate us.

There's another reason to go open-source.

WHY does MS continue to force users to go where they do NOT want to go.

I'm becoming more disillusioned with MS by the day, ATM.

The question is why aren't you going where everything will be going?

Assimilate, or be destroyed. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Wonder if they'll give us back the option to use Aero in desktop mode.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-Bit, Ubuntu 13.04 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 @ 3ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus Sabertooth X58
    Memory
    Crucial 6GB DDR3 1066mhz Triple Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB EVGA GTX 460 SE (Nvidia)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual LG Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080, 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 Series SSD
    640GB WD Caviar Blue
    320GB WD MyBook (converted to Internal SATA)
    1TB Seagate Barracuda
    PSU
    Corsair 650TX 650w
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 922
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    20mbps Down, 2mbps Up
Sounds like they're getting desperate to assimilate us.

There's another reason to go open-source.

WHY does MS continue to force users to go where they do NOT want to go.

I'm becoming more disillusioned with MS by the day, ATM.

The question is why aren't you going where everything will be going?

Assimilate, or be destroyed. :)

Or cancel my internet, and go back to XP... ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
Good on you Kat.

We do not have to do what they want.

It doesn't matter if they are a corporation, or Mother Theresa.

We are many, they are few.

I haven't any idea why some people think otherwise.

If you want dramatic examples - it hasn't been great for dictators recently has it?

That is because the people decided not to do what "they" wanted.

You might wonder how the people got into those messes in the first place.

Probably because they didn't know where it was headed.

The few who had their suspicions were told by the collaborators - you must do what "they" want.

Dramatic examples, to be sure - but everyone must be aware of them.



Sounds like they're getting desperate to assimilate us.

There's another reason to go open-source.

WHY does MS continue to force users to go where they do NOT want to go.

I'm becoming more disillusioned with MS by the day, ATM.

The question is why aren't you going where everything will be going?

Assimilate, or be destroyed. :)

Or cancel my internet, and go back to XP... ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Or cancel my internet, and go back to XP...

:thumb: I still have good old XP on an older PC and still boot it up occasionally. :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPower
    CPU
    i5 2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8P67 Deluxe
    Memory
    8 gigabytes Corsair PC3-12800 DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 460 superclocked
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic 23" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    128 Gb Samsung 840 Pro SSD
    128 Gb Kingston Hyper X SSD
    1 Tb Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
    PSU
    1000 watt Coolermaster modular
    Case
    Coolermaster Haf X full tower
    Cooling
    Coolermaster Hyper 212 plus
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitec M310 USB cordless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb/s download 300 kb/s upload
If they create a compelling product. It's good. I think they've realized in a way they take way too long. For example the wait for from xp to vista was too long and in the end I never thought vista was bad because of performance but more of the interface. The interface has not evolved enough. Vista probably was more secure in that it questioned your every move. But one of the things I've always wanted was a easier way to launch programs that was independent from using the desktop screen. They finally delivered that in windows 7 which was a long time. That was long overdue. If that means they fix some of things on the desktop that would make it work better I'm all for it. I don't hate windows 8 I just don't see the reason for many of the changes that don't make working on it better but instead more difficult. Free would be good because even though I would work on windows 8 out of the box I have not been really enjoying it.
 

My Computer

It will be interesting which direction they go with this, improve the desktop with options to bypass Metro (agree this is what's wanted and what they should do), or improve Metro to have multiple 'Windows' metro/standard programs.
It might be something completely new and different.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
3-4 years between major OS releases is perfectly adequate.

And it gives the thing a chance to mature.

Every six-twelve months is patently freakin' ridiculous.

Have an SP every 12-18 months instead.

That, and the closed system/walled garden, is why I will NOT buy Apple products.

And if MS goes down that road, well I have a copy of Mint 13 sitting here waiting for a VM...

Not a hassle to install it as the main OS...... or just stick with 7.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
Sounds like they're getting desperate to assimilate us.

There's another reason to go open-source.

WHY does MS continue to force users to go where they do NOT want to go.

I'm becoming more disillusioned with MS by the day, ATM.

How does Windows force you to go anywhere? It is entirely up to you - you can go open source and all the crap that that entails or you can use Windows or Apple or whatever. No one is forcing you to do anything!
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77V-De-Luxe
    Memory
    32GB DDR 3 1600MHz. Gskill
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Nvidia GTX460 1GB OC
    Sound Card
    NA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2412m / Acer 2251W
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    Intel 520 - 240GB SSD/ WD 1TB /Seagate 1TB/WD 500Gb/Seagate 1.0TB USB 3.0
    PSU
    Coolermaster 850W
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF 920
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    10MB/512
Windows Blue is Microsoft's future OS with yearly updates

[h=1]Windows Blue is Microsoft's future low-cost OS with yearly updates[/h]Microsoft is busy preparing its next-generation Windows client, shortly after shipping Windows 8 in October. The Verge has learned from several sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans that the company is planning to standardize on an approach, codenamed Blue, across Windows and Windows Phone in an effort to provide more regular updates to consumers.


Windows Blue is Microsoft's future low-cost OS with yearly updates | The Verge
 

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  • OS
    Windows 10 (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD FX8320
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD 7870
Sounds like they're getting desperate to assimilate us.

There's another reason to go open-source.

WHY does MS continue to force users to go where they do NOT want to go.

I'm becoming more disillusioned with MS by the day, ATM.

How does Windows force you to go anywhere? It is entirely up to you - you can go open source and all the crap that that entails or you can use Windows or Apple or whatever. No one is forcing you to do anything!

If you want to use W8, you ARE being forced. And the way things are going, I'm starting to think that the open-source 'crap' as you seem to think it is, is far more preferable than following MS down the walled road into the walled city like the Apple fanbois have.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit (7 Ult, Vista & XP in V-Box)
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire Ethos AS8951G 'Super-Laptop'.
    CPU
    Intel Sandy-Bridge i7-2670QM quad-core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 3000HD / Ge-Force GT555M 2 gigs
    Sound Card
    Realtek/5.1 Dolby built-in including speakers.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" full-HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1024
    Hard Drives
    2x750GB Toshiba internal, 1x500GB Seagate external, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x640GB Toshiba pocket-drive, 1x640GB Samsung pocket drive.
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Air-cooled
    Mouse
    I/R cordless.
    Internet Speed
    Borderline pathetic.
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