Windows 8.1 aka Windows Blue to be free for users of Windows 8.

Lum

Microsoft blog entry full of marketing waffle

Microsoft wrote:

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 8.1 and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

(My emphasis)

So there you go, no confirmation as to what is in it, but they're not moving to the Apple approach of smaller updates released at a lower price but more frequently.

bod1467

Lum wrote: »

Microsoft blog entry full of marketing waffle



(My emphasis)

So there you go, no confirmation as to what is in it, but they're not moving to the Apple approach of smaller updates released at a lower price but more frequently.

Should "not" be "now"?

Lum

bod1467 wrote: »

Should "not" be "now"?

No, they are not moving to the Apple pricing model. This update is free.

bod1467

Ah right. I only have an Ipod, and updates are always free, so I wasn't aware they charged for incremental OSX updates.

So in other words, MS are not really changing their modus operandi ... instead of hotfixes and service packs they're going for incremental point releases.

SnowTiger

bod1467 wrote: »

So in other words, MS are not really changing their modus operandi ... instead of hotfixes and service packs they're going for incremental point releases.

I think it's the equivalent of a 'Service Pack', that have been issued for previous previous versions of Windows.

Apparently, the most notable feature will be the return of the Start blob/globe/orb. However, rumour has it that this may be little more than a link to the full screen Start menu that others have been complaining about.

Personally, I don't miss the old style Start menu and would be happy if things remained as they were.

debitcardmayhem

The cynic in me says that it's "Windows 8.1 and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store." but I don't want it through no store, just via Windows Update

Lum

bod1467 wrote: »

Ah right. I only have an Ipod, and updates are always free, so I wasn't aware they charged for incremental OSX updates.

So in other words, MS are not really changing their modus operandi ... instead of hotfixes and service packs they're going for incremental point releases.

Pretty much yes. This is more akin to Windows XP SP2 which added a whole bunch of new stuff (proper Wireless support for example)

The whole "OMG! MS are charging for 8.1" has turned out to be a massive uproar about nothing.

custardy

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

The cynic in me says that it's "Windows 8.1 and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store." but I don't want it through no store, just via Windows Update

whats the difference?

penrhyn

Microsoft's attempt to polish a turd.

Jivesinger

Lum wrote: »

they're not moving to the Apple approach of smaller updates released at a lower price but more frequently.

...yet.

(I've an idea they may do this sort of thing in future.)

Jivesinger

Lum wrote: »

The whole "OMG! MS are charging for 8.1" has turned out to be a massive uproar about nothing.

I think it's because someone at Microsoft mentioned "pricing".

And sooner or later they will presumably start selling boxed versions of Windows 8.1 in the shops (and upgrades from XP/Vista/7 straight to 8.1) which won't be free and therefore will have a price, which I'm guessing is what the MS folks were referring to.