The tech rumor mill has been abuzz with rumors about Windows Blue. What is it? When is it being released? Will it be different from Windows 8?
Well, one of the most important details about Windows Blue may have just been released. Specifically, Windows Blue isn’t Windows Blue at all. Instead, it’s simply Windows 8.1.
But wait a minute before you exit the window: just because Windows 8.1 sounds less revolutionary than Windows Blue doesn’t mean Microsoft isn’t adding major changes. The same rumors about Windows Blue apply to Windows 8.1. Specifically, the operating system should feature regular updates like Mac OS X and work on a subscription-based system.

Following in Apple’s footsteps

By switching the naming convention to 8.1 as opposed to a totally new number/codename, Micrsofot appears to be making it even more obvious that they’re following in the footsteps of Apple and the Mac. Mac OS X recently upgraded from 10.7 (Lion) to 10.8 (Mountain Lion). And despite the incremental names, each of those upgrades was a major addition to the preceding version.
The truth about Windows Blue appears to have been leaked here. Expect Windows Blue, Windows 8.1, or whatever you want to call it, to be released sometime in summer 2013.