Microsoft has put a lot of effort into Windows 8, launching it on Surface Pro and RT and getting ready for round two with a Windows Blue update. At this point, many have pegged Windows Blue (rumored to be officially called 8.1), but could it be that Microsoft has much bigger plans for the new version of its existing operating system?
A report published on Monday now claims that Microsoft is going to use Windows Blue to merge the full-featured Windows 8 OS with Windows Phone 8.
"The Windows Blue project is being developed by a team separate from the Windows and Windows Phone departments and its purpose is to merge the two operating systems to compete against Google's Android and Chrome, according to the rumors," wrote the Taiwanese newspaper DigitTimes.
If the report turns out to be true — nothing has been confirmed by Microsoft — it would mean that Windows Blue is going to be a much bigger deal than we have anticipated. Until now, it's been expected that Windows Blue will essentially be an update to Windows 8, but integrating the mobile OS with the traditional PC is a big step for Microsoft.
Of course, "integration" could mean a couple of things, and it doesn't necessarily signify a major shift for Redmond.
As ExtremeTech writes, "If it's merely the integration of codebases — which has already begun with Windows 8/WP8′s shared kernel — then outwardly very little will change. If Microsoft is actually producing a single operating system that will run across every form factor, with the same interface, with complete app compatibility, then this would be the biggest move in Windows' history."
The latter would essentially mean that any Windows-powered device you purchase — be it a smartphone, tablet, or PC — would be able to run all Windows products, including legacy software. If nothing else, it would definitely solve the major problem most people have with Windows RT.
