Microsoft seems to be all set to reveal Windows 8.1 as the company has already set the preview release date for the upcoming operating system as June 26 in San Francisco. However, the launch of the operating system looks to be delayed to October this year and not August or September as previously speculated.
A DigiTimes report says that notebooks featuring Windows 8.1 (Windows Blue) will start volume production in mid-September and the official launch of the operating system is now estimated to be around late October.
The DigiTimes report cites sources related to Original Device Manufacturers (ODM) and says "However, the sources believe Windows 8.1 is unlikely to largely attract consumers into purchasing new PC products as there are already many third-party applications available to modify Windows 8's user interface and functions. Unless Microsoft is willing to further lower its new operating system prices, the sources believe the software is unlikely to have any major positive effect on consumer demand."
A previous rumor suggests that 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.
Windows 8 received quite a lot of criticism for the 'Start' button, which was missing from Windows 8 and the direct booting to the Live Tiles screen instead of the traditional desktop. Although both the issues can be resolved by downloading apps, its expected that the Windows 8.1 will bring both the missing features back to the desktop.
Microsoft has not announced a launch date for Windows 8.1 and market observers believe that the company will give at least some hint of the release date on June 26.
