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Betting on the explosion of always-connected touch devices – from smartphones, tablets and phablets to all-in-one notebooks, the technology major Microsoft Corp has unleashed the test version of Windows 8.1, the next update of the Windows operating system.
Addressing the company’s developer-focused Build conference, Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, said this was just the beginning of a shift to "rapid release" cycles for products.
Ballmer added: “It is about the transformation that we are going through as a company to move at an absolutely rapid release cycle, our transformation from a software company to a company that is building software-powered devices and services.”
The company said the Windows 8.1 can be previewed at http://www.preview.windows.com .
As expected by industry observers and following feedbacks from users, Microsoft has announced the return of ‘Start’ button in the updated Windows 8.1.
To keep the app momentum going further in Windows, Microsoft has brought in top apps such as Facebook and Flipboard.
Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice-President of Windows, said: “Windows 8.1 will support the widest range of tablets and PCs and demonstrates how responsive we can be for customers. The preview we are releasing today [Wednesday] is an important step for partners around the world that are building the next generation of Windows devices and apps.”
Antoine Leblond, Corporate Vice-President of Windows Program Management, outlined how Windows 8.1 provides additional opportunity for developers to design and market their Windows Store app.
The company said that Windows app store is nearing the one-lakh apps milestone.
Catching on this momentum, the Windows Store has been completely redesigned in Windows 8.1 to reach engaged customers and connect them more effectively to the apps they want. This includes increased merchandising opportunities for apps as well as new search controls from Bing in the user interface. App listings will have a new layout with refined navigation and more related contents.
With a view to getting more developers on to the Windows platform, the company has positioned its search engine Bing as a platform.
In addition to providing the Search experience in Windows 8.1, Windows Phone, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Office, Bing Developer Services are now available that enable third-party developers to leverage the technology to create amazing experiences in their own services and Windows and Windows Phone applications.
The company has brought in features such as Bing optical character recognition control, translator control, speech control and Bing maps.
( The writer is in San Francisco at the invitation of Microsoft. )
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