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Windows 8 Licenses Surpass 100 Million; Windows Blue Public Preview in June

By James Lu & Ng Chong Seng - on 8 May 2013, 10:30am

Windows 8 Licenses Surpass 100 Million; Windows Blue Public Preview in June

Were you one of the 100 million who bought Windows 8?

Update: Added info about Windows Blue public preview in June.

Despite controversy surrounding the uptake of Windows 8, Microsoft has revealed that more than 100 million Windows 8 licenses have now been sold, up from 60 million in January 2013, thanks in part to more than 2400 Windows 8 and Windows RT devices now available on the market, such as Microsoft's own Surface tablet.  

In addition, the Windows Store is seeing steady growth, and now boasts 60,000 apps, up from about 40,000 in January. According to Microsoft, downloads have also exceeded 250 million for the first time. Microsoft still has a way to go though, in comparison, Apple's App Store boasts nearly 800,000 apps and has exceeded 50 billion downloads.

There are still some glaring omissions to the Windows Store too, including an official Facebook app.

An update to Windows 8, codenamed Windows Blue but likely to be released as Windows 8.1 is due to be released later this year and will include many improvements to the existing Windows 8 OS. Early rumors have suggested the possible return of the Start menu button, one of the most requested features missing in Windows 8, as well as an option to boot straight to the desktop. Other likely improvements include color customization options and additional Snap Views.

For those who can't wait for Windows Blue to arrive, Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President for Windows, has just revealed that the first public preview will be released at the end of June at the Microsoft Build Developer Conference.

Source: Microsoft (1, 2).

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