Windows is still by far the most widely used desktop OS in the world but things are decidedly trending downward. The most recent numbers from NPD showed that while “U.S. consumer retail PC sales grew almost 3% during the 10 week Back-to-School period (week of July 4th through Labor Day week),” Windows device sales actually fell by 3% over the same period. Instead, NDP found that all growth in PC sales came from Macs and Chromebooks. Microsoft’s struggles in the mobile market are even worse — while iOS and Android dominate the smartphone market, Microsoft’s own Windows Phone has been a bust so far and has actually seen both its market share and total shipments decline over the last year. More →
After a report last week revealed the President of Microsoft Indonesia confirmed that the Windows 8 to Windows 9 upgrade will be available free download, Myce has discovered that not all current Windows 8 users may be entitled to a free Windows 9 update. Well-known Russian leaker WZOR, the source of various Windows 9 leaks in the past, says that just those customers who have purchased a Windows 8 (or Windows 8.1) copy will qualify for free upgrades. Users who have purchased a computer with Windows 8 preinstalled (OEM version of the software) will have to pay a fee. More →
It’s beginning to look like the public technical preview for Windows 9 won’t be seeing the light of day before October after all, but Microsoft might have accidentally leaked some details regarding the preview ahead of time. The Verge reported over the weekend that Microsoft had temporarily added a “Windows TH” page to its website, which has since been taken down. Thankfully, a captured screenshot reveals everything we need to know. More →
Multiple Windows 9 reports have suggested that Microsoft is considering releasing the upcoming platform as a free download to certain existing Windows users. Some said that Windows 8 will get Windows 9 free of charge, while others claimed the company is also considering some sort of special offers for existing Windows XP users. A report from Indonesian online publication Detik said earlier this week that President of Microsoft Indonesia Andreas Diantoro has confirmed this particular Windows 9 feature.
More →
We know that Microsoft is very eager to move past the less-than-enthusiastic reception that greeted Windows 8 and introduce us to Windows 9. And it looks like that day can’t come soon enough either, because the NPD Group has found that while PC sales surprisingly recovered during the back-to-school shopping season this year, the big winners weren’t Windows PCs — instead, they were Macs and Chromebooks. More →
The closer Microsoft gets to unveiling Windows 9 and releasing its first Technical Preview of its next major desktop OS update, the more leaks revealing Windows 9 features hit the web. After posting videos showing how the new Start menu button is supposed to work, and detailing new features including the Notification Center and multiple desktop support, German publication WinFuture is back with screenshots showing the Cortana voice-based personal assistant in action for Windows 9. More →
September just continues to be a huge month for tech news: Not only are we seeing the launches of the iPhone 6, the Galaxy Note 4, the new Moto X and the BlackBerry Passport but we’re also going to get out first look at Windows 9 as well. Per Re/code, Microsoft has just sent out an invitation to media and analysts that invites them to “join us to hear about what’s next for Windows and the enterprise.” Given previous rumors, we can only assume this means that Microsoft will use this event to show off Windows 9 for the first time as well. More →
Later this month, Microsoft is expected to roll out its Windows 9 technical preview version, after properly unveiling its next significant desktop operating system update. In the meantime more videos demoing some of the upcoming Windows features were published online by WinFuture, confirming other major features coming to Windows 9 aside from the Start button. More →
After a collection of Windows 9 images were leaked earlier this week, showing the operating system’s most important feature, German publication WinFuture.de published a video on YouTube giving fans a first look at the new Start menu in action. More →
Microsoft would understandably like to move on from Windows 8 as quickly as possible, which is why the company is so eager to show off Windows 9 in the coming weeks. However, Softpedia’s sources say that Microsoft might be so eager to rebrand its flagship software program that it might end up calling Windows 9 just plain-old “Windows” instead. And that’s not all: The company may end up branding Windows RT and Windows Phone as “Windows” as well. Needless to say, Softpedia thinks this could create even more confusion for prospective buyers. More →
Windows 9 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated software releases in Microsoft’s history, but probably not for the reasons the company hoped. Although what we’ve seen from leaks look promising, most Windows users are simply hoping to see Microsoft make a clear departure from the rocky road that has been Windows 8. More →
