[ninjaap]

What the **** is it? I thought it was just going to be a bunch of incremental updates. Is it a new operating system? Is it a complete overhaul of Windows 8?

[Gambit11B]

Not a new operating system, or a complete overhaul of Windows 8. Think of it as an update....like a Mango, Tango, etc. Here's a link from CNET:

Microsoft said to be readying public preview of Windows Blue | Microsoft - CNET News

[travisel]

What the **** is it? I thought it was just going to be a bunch of incremental updates. Is it a new operating system? Is it a complete overhaul of Windows 8?

I hope it's a update unifying service pack 1 for Windows 8, Windows RT, WP8 to update & fix the eco platform they have now!

But I also herd a rumor that BLUE is a new Windows NT 6.3 Kernel which means there is a NEW Windows platform. I have seen pictures of this but could of been faked. They told us that we are guaranteed 18 months with 4 months already used leaves 14 to go?

Microsoft not saying anything so tight lipped about the subject, we better hope it's not a new NT 6.3 Kernel!

Why so much hate for Windows 8? And we know at this point BLUE is the future fix or fixes for metro platform.

[ninjaap]

So its a single OS update unifying Windows 8, RT, and WP8? So technically, after our WP8 Portico update, we may see Blue, which will be rolled out to 8 and RT as well?

[Chregu]

20 seconds Google: Microsoft's Windows Blue may have just hit milestone 1 | ZDNet

[ninjaap]

20 seconds Google: Microsoft's Windows Blue may have just hit milestone 1 | ZDNet

Thanks for that link, but I have already read that article. It just raises more questions.

[travisel]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/19/40...nt-version-6-3

I hope not to be true! 😒

[spaulagain]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/19/40...nt-version-6-3

I hope not to be true! 😒

Why not? It means its a much more massive update to Windows. I can't wait!

[Jonny8X]

So this windows "blue", its a multi platform thing then. Not just WP8?

[ninjaap]

Have you guys seen this?

Windows Blue screenshots reveal major NT kernel change in the works | The Verge

I hope not to be true! 

Yes I have. That's why I asked if it's a new OS. By new OS I was thinking in terms of new version of Windows like Vista, 7, 8, etc. And rumors of it being a paid update suggest that it is a major one.

[travisel]

So this windows "blue", its a multi platform thing then. Not just WP8?

From the rumor it says a new NT 6.3 Kernel means that there's going to be a new Windows! 😒

Again it's still a rumor!

I don't want another new Windows ...9 or Blue?

Blue better be a Unified Service Pack 1 for Windows 8, Windows RT, WP8 To fix and update what they already have.

The problem is there's NO information official from Microsoft which is troubling for us people that just bought NT 6.2 Windows 8 and now rumor NT 6.3 wtf....😒

[ninjaap]

From the rumor it says a new NT 6.3 Kernel means that there's going to be a new Windows! 

Again it's still a rumor!

I don't want another new Windows ...9 or Blue?

Blue better be a Unified Service Pack 1 for Windows 8, Windows RT, WP8 To fix and update what they already have.

The problem is there's NO information official from Microsoft which is troubling for us people that just bought NT 6.2 Windows 8 and now rumor NT 6.3 wtf....

Why would a new kernel be bad? I mean Windows 8 can still run legacy software from previous version (Vista, 7, etc.). I would think that Blue would still be backwards compatible with legacy and Modern apps.

[travisel]

NT 6.0 Windows Vista
NT 6.1 Windows 7
NT 6.3 Windows Blue or 9

NT 7.0 Future

Because making NT 6.3 now is putting Windows 8 to death. Microsoft put all there effort in the new NT 6.3 Kernel instead of updating and fixing NT 6.2! Microsoft still working on SP2 for Windows 7.....there to spread out...it's very frustrating...

I have been a Windows user since Windows 3.11 For Workgroup.

[Rich White]

The ulimate goal is to have windows scale across all size devices with 3 interfaces: the Legacy Desktop, Metro Tiles, and Phone (small tiles). For Xbox and Enterprise they need rich multi monitor support and support for gaming devices with Smart Glass and common notifications.

It's not enough to share files via SkyDrive devices need to share monitors and multiple windows in many ways including a remote xBOX session and a local session of Windows 8 concurrently. Most of its rumored to be collaborative improvements between devices, 10 years ago it would be a Service Pack. Sp1. Also to include Windows Explorer 11 and More Bing search integration to allow more consistent voice commands . We won't see the whole eco system until November when xBox is ready for order and the next crop of phones and tablets hit teh streets with the 64 bit Atoms and Haswell processors.

Maybe we see something in April as its rumored Microsft will show off the new Xbox to undermine sales of the new Samsung TV/Android Box. Its all but guaranteed that June will see xBox demos for E3 andt the consumer preview will be out for Blue. Then therest the Devleopr Build Conference held the end of October where the whole system will be in action inlcuding Phone Blue which will be nearing release with the NEw Phones much like Portico was.

[ninjaap]

NT 6.0 Windows Vista
NT 6.1 Windows 7
NT 6.3 Windows Blue or 9

NT 7.0 Future

Because making NT 6.3 now is putting Windows 8 to death. Microsoft put all there effort in the new NT 6.3 Kernel instead of updating and fixing NT 6.2! Microsoft still working on SP2 for Windows 7.....there to spread out...it's very frustrating...

I have been a Windows user since Windows 3.11 For Workgroup.

You make it sound like as soon as Blue is released, Windows 8 is dead in the water and can no longer move forward in the same way WP8 is not backward compatible with WP7. I don't see it happening.

[travisel]

You make it sound like as soon as Blue is released, Windows 8 is dead in the water and can no longer move forward in the same way WP8 is not backward compatible with WP7. I don't see it happening.

Not dead...yet but with all eyes on a New OS there be less support for older OS!

Microsoft still has to finish up SP2 for Windows 7 and here I thought BLUE would be an awesome SP1 for Windows 8 & Windows RT, WP8?

The way I see it now is Microsoft is bring out a new OS with update's to other OS Windows 8, Windows RT, WP8 for compatibility support for the new OS? ...looks like a different picture then Microsoft would have us believe.

[a5cent]

You make it sound like as soon as Blue is released, Windows 8 is dead in the water and can no longer move forward in the same way WP8 is not backward compatible with WP7. I don't see it happening.

Ignore it ninjaap. It's BS. He/She doesn't understand the issue at all.

According to Paul Thurtott and Mary Jo Folley, "Windows Blue" is the project name for an update to W8/W8RT and WP. The stated project goal is to "unify" those operating systems. However, that is often misunderstood. In that context, "unify" means they want to offer a similar feature set and a more consistent UI across all of those operating systems, on smartphones, tablets and laptops/desktops. In no way does it mean that those operating systems will all get "rolled into one". In a recent podcast, Mary mentioned that WP8 Blue has fallen behind schedule, meaning it is likely to be released somewhat later than W8/W8RT Blue.

What should we expect? That is still all very vague. I expect seamless synching across all devices to be a big part of Windows Blue. For example, if you add a bookmark to IE on your laptop, it will show up on all your other devices as well. Same for RSS feeds, search and browser history, latest Skype calls, etc. This was the promise for WP8, but from what I understand, fulfilling that promise is what Windows Blue is about. Take this with a grain of salt though, because it's just my best guess.

Edit: There is absolutely no technical reason why WP8 Blue must necessarily fracture the WP ecosystem, in the way the move from WP7 to WP8 did. That doesn't mean it can't. It just means it doesn't necessarily have to (kernel version etc. is completely irrelevant).

If you have any other specific questions I'll be glad to try and answer them.

[travisel]

Oh yeah......so explain how the new NT 6.3 Blue fits in? Microsoft saying one thing doing another with so many promises on the table made for all of us?

I love Windows 8 & WP8 I understand unifying all Windows eco system but with the new NT 6.3 Kernel? 😒

[ninjaap]

Ignore it ninjaap. It's BS. He/She doesn't understand the issue at all.

According to Paul Thurtott and Mary Jo Folley, "Windows Blue" is the project name for an update to W8/W8RT and WP. The stated project goal is to "unify" those operating systems. However, that is often misunderstood. In that context, "unify" means they want to offer a similar feature set and a more consistent UI across all of those operating systems, on smartphones, tablets and laptops/desktops. In no way does it mean that those operating systems will all get "rolled into one". In a recent podcast, Mary mentioned that WP8 Blue has fallen behind schedule, meaning it is likely to be released somewhat later than W8/W8RT Blue.

What should we expect? That is still all very vague. I expect seamless synching across all devices to be a big part of Windows Blue. For example, if you add a bookmark to IE on your laptop, it will show up on all your other devices as well. Same for RSS feeds, search and browser history, latest Skype calls, etc. This was the promise for WP8, but from what I understand, fulfilling that promise is what Windows Blue is about. Take this with a grain of salt though, because it's just my best guess.

Edit: There is absolutely no technical reason why WP8 Blue must necessarily fracture the WP ecosystem, in the way the move from WP7 to WP8 did. That doesn't mean it can't. It just means it doesn't necessarily have to (kernel version etc. is completely irrelevant).

If you have any other specific questions I'll be glad to try and answer them.

This seems more sense to me. But where did the rumors of paying for Blue and future updates come from?

[ninjaap]

Oh yeah......so explain how the new NT 6.3 Blue fits in? Microsoft saying one thing doing another with so many promises on the table made for all of us?

I love Windows 8 & WP8 I understand unifying all Windows eco system but with the new NT 6.3 Kernel? 

I hear what you're saying, but I still don't understand why NT 6.3 Kernel would break anything.

[a5cent]

Oh yeah......so explain how the new NT 6.3 Blue fits in? Microsoft saying one thing doing another with so many promises on the table made for all of us?

I love Windows 8 & WP8 I understand unifying all Windows eco system but with the new NT 6.3 Kernel? 

Check your private message inbox. You should have received something. Maybe twice.

[ninjaap]

Check your private message inbox. You should have received something. Maybe twice.

Hey! No fair! Share the love yo! I'm the one who started the thread and asked :)

[a5cent]

This seems more sense to me. But where did the rumors of paying for Blue and future updates come from?

Microsoft is trying to transition to a faster release schedule. Instead of providing one major update to Windows every two or three years, they want to provide a smaller update every year. Whether that makes Windows Blue the equivalent of W9 I do not know, but some think so. If you think Windows Blue is the equivalent of W9, then that would typically incur licensing costs. The opposing camp claims Windows Blue is the equivalent of WP8 SP1, which is traditionally free of charge. Last I checked, Microsoft had yet to clarify their position, so confusion abounds.

[ninjaap]

Microsoft is trying to transition to a faster release schedule. Instead of providing one major update to Windows every two or three years, they want to provide a smaller update every year. Whether that makes Windows Blue the equivalent of W9 I do not know, but some think so. If you think Windows Blue is the equivalent of W9, then that would typically incur licensing costs. The opposing camp claims Windows Blue is the equivalent of WP8 SP1, which is traditionally free of charge. Last I checked, Microsoft had yet to clarified their position, so confusion abounds.

Hmmmmm... I smell a MS subscription model for updates ala Office 365, Xbox Gold, Xbox Music coming on.

[a5cent]

Hmmmmm... I smell a MS subscription model for updates ala Office 365, Xbox Gold, Xbox Music coming on.

I like the idea of W8, but what shipped as W8/W8RT was neither consistent with WP8 nor finished. From that perspective Windows Blue should be a free SP1. On the other hand, they released W8 at a very low price, so they might want to compensate by charging for Windows Blue. It's anyone's guess, but a subscription model? OMG no, that would suck.