The release schedule of Windows 8.1 is shaping up to be quite an interesting spectacle. The rumored release date of the final version has been shifting from August to September to October.
Now a new report claims that the operating system could be ready for action in August.
For its part, Microsoft has announced at the Worldwide Partner Conference 2013 taking place in Houston, Texas that Windows 8.1 would be hitting RTM status next month. But there was no talk of users getting the update at the same time.
Citing insider sources, reliable Microsoft watcher, Mary Jo Foley writes that the software titan is trying to bring Windows 8.1 to market as soon as possible — in other words, end users may well be able to get the 8.1 upgrade simultaneously, or very shortly after RTM.
Previous reports, obviously, indicated that the final version of Windows 8.1 could find itself in the hands of users in October. That would have put it just in time for the holiday season.
Microsoft, quite rightly, wants the launch of its new operating system to pave way for a fresh new wave of devices, including tablets and hybrids. Considering this, the October release date makes all kinds of sense. But at the same time, the company wants to increase the overall adaption rate of its platform.
The important thing to consider here is that Microsoft will focus on delivering Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store. The retail channels may factor into this later, but deployment via the Windows Store could actually speed things up.
In short, once the RTM version is rolled out Redmond could make Windows 8.1 available to end users much faster than previous instances.
Obviously, the company is yet to officially comment on any of this, so take this with a grain of salt until the software titan confirms or denies this new report.
