Will Windows 8.2 be a free upgrade?
Rumor has it that it is going to be free and that it is prepping for a release in the Fall.
According to media reports, Microsoft is planning to publish updates of the current Windows 8, (8.1 beta) OS more often, so that the next version is expected as early as in August.
The question now is how MCSFT can improve on Windows 8.1 ahead of a Windows 9 OS release. Reports say although Windows 8 does a good job of fixing bugs, there's still a lot more it can do to improve performance before a Windows 9 update. Hence, the Windows 8.2 is inevitable.
Techradar reported, "Windows 8.1 Update 1 will appear during Build 2014 after a previous goof already let it out of the bag. It's the leakiest update to Windows yet and is fairly underwhelming."
Analysts say that MCSFT should have released Windows 8.2 in 2012.Some say that Windows 8.1 makes Windows 8 more 'bearable.' However, the consensus opinion is that Windows 8.1 is not adequate to improve Windows 8,
With Windows 8.1 Update 1 download available, Windows 9 might be out by 2015.
Russian group WZOR, leaked that a "Windows 8.2" or "Windows 8.1 Update 2" is in the offing for fall release. ZDNet confirmed that a release could come as early as August 2014. Microsoft apparently is looking to speed up its release starting with Windows 8.2 and progressing toward future releases in the pipeline, i.e. Windows 9.
According to Microsoft, "A Microsoft job posting back in February posed the question: "Do you wish the code you write for Windows Store apps would just work on the Windows Phone and vice versa?"
Reports say that Microsoft has acknowledged that consumers are confused by a three-pronged marketing strategy for Windows 8, Windows Phone and Windows RT. Instead, the Redmond giant's vision to unify all Windows users might be a big bang. And it could mean the next iteration of Windows, 8.2 is free for download.
"The launch of Windows 9 is scheduled for the spring of next year. Also, two upgrades for the Windows Phone 8.1 are expected by the end of this year," writes Rick Buford for GLBrain.com.
Will Windows 8.2 be a free upgrade? Buford adds, "Microsoft has already announced that the Windows (including Windows Phone) will be free for OEM, if it is going to be used on devices with a screen diagonal under nine inches."
The Windows 8.2 is expected to feature the Start button, which was a big hit at Microsoft's Build conference during the first week of April. Alongside, the next iteration of Windows will also have the capacity for working windowed desktop Metro apps.
With Reports From TechRadar, Gadgets.NDTV
