It was announced yesterday that the official name for the Windows Blue update will be Windows 8.1 (which isn’t a surprising naming convention, pretty much in-line with previous naming styles). Microsoft has said that this update will be free to all current users of Windows 8 which pretty much makes it a glorified service pack. Be that as it may, this update does have some interesting (rumored) updates that responds to some of the harsh criticisms Windows 8 has endured since its launch.
Windows 8.1 will champion the return of the standard Start Menu and a Boot-to-Desktop option, which addresses probably two of the biggest Windows 8 criticisms. They were the two biggest design complaints I had (I find the tiled “Start Screen” absolutely horrid). When Microsoft announced that there will be an 8.1 containing updates that address user concerns, they did not officially comment whether the Start Menu would be returning. However, as more and more details came out, the bulk of the concerns were still centered around the fact that users still want the old Start Menu back. I would say that at this point chances are good we will see it back in 8.1.
One of the other things I read that is allegedly coming in the 8.1 patch is a more mouse-friendly Charms bar. As I’ve vehemently expressed in the past, slapping a touch interface onto a standard desktop and expecting the experience to remain the same was asinine. Using the mouse is a completely different user experience then using a touch interface (this is why its a better idea to separate the OS code bases then try to combine then, hence iOS and OS X). If you are unfamiliar with the Charms bar, its essentially what has replaced pinning programs to the app bar. Its accessed from the right side of the screen by swiping your finger. Obviously this isn’t as natural if you are using a mouse. The rumor is that in 8.1 this will be more “mouse friendly”.
Finally, the last thing I’ve heard (thus far) that will be added in 8.1 is a tutorial for learning how to use the new Windows 8 desktop/interface. Some of the criticisms Windows 8 received was that there was a bit of a learning curve. Many people I’ve talked to that use Windows 8 regularly always say “I’ve gotten use to it”, which says to me that isn’t intuitive and requires some acclimation.
So are the changes coming in 8.1 an unofficial admission of failure? I don’t know. I mean, I am one of the harshest critics for Windows 8 and I don’t know if I would even go so far as to say that 8.1 is admitting that it was a failure. I’d be more inclined to say that Microsoft is finally listening to customer criticisms and responding accordingly. Will these changes elicit a change of heart for me? I doubt it. Many people say that if you would be upgrading from Windows 7 (which would be me) that its probably not really worth is as there aren’t that many differences (except for the “Start Screen”, obviously). I am curious, however, to see how folks respond to the changes. We’ll find out later this year.
/cheers
Despite the fact that I make my living providing Microsoft solutions using .NET, many know that I have never been a big fan of Microsoft. I stated that because I want to be upfront about my past feelings and that I am going to try not to let those feelings influence this topic. I am going to discuss this based on my interpretation of the evidence I see in the industry today. I think that Microsoft is no longer a leader but frantically playing catch-up instead.