“Microsoft Corp. plans to overhaul how it develops the flagship Windows operating system in a strategic shift aimed at keeping pace with nimbler rivals Apple Inc. and Google Inc., people familiar with the matter said,” Dina Bass reports for Bloomberg.
“Microsoft aims to upgrade the software more frequently, about once a year, rather than every two or three years as it’s done in the past, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the product plans are private,” Bass reports. “The company plans to unveil the first of these updates in 2013, one of the people said.”
Bass reports, “Microsoft hasn’t yet figured out whether the upgrades will be offered for free, or for a low price to current customers, said one of the people.”
Read more in the full article here.
“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,” Tom Warren reports for The Verge. “Originally unveiled by ZDNet, the update on the Windows side, due in mid-2013, will include UI changes and alterations to the entire platform and pricing.”
MacDailyNews Take: Codenamed Blue. That’s short for…
“Sources tell us that Microsoft will likely keep the Windows 8 name for the foreseeable future, despite the Windows Blue update,” Warren reports. “A big part of Windows Blue is the push towards yearly updates for Microsoft’s OS. Microsoft will kick off an annual upgrade cycle for Windows that is designed to make it more competitive against rival platforms from Apple and Google.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: So, Windows 8 is the public beta for which Microsoft nonetheless charges money? Okay got it. As if anybody needed it, yet another reason not to buy Windows 8.
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ZDNet’s Kingsley-Hughes: Microsoft’s Windows 8 is an awful, horrible, painful design disaster – June 8, 2012
Analyst meets with big computer maker, finds ‘general lack of enthusiasm’ for Windows 8 – June 8, 2012
Dvorak: Windows 8 an unmitigated disaster; unusable and annoying; it makes your teeth itch – June 3, 2012
The Guardian: Microsoft’s Windows 8 is confusing as hell; an appalling user experience – March 5, 2012
More good news for Apple: Microsoft previews Windows 8 (with video) – June 1, 2011