Windows Blue is the code name for the Windows 8 update that is expected this year. It is now be called Windows 8.1 officially instead of Windows Blue, Tami Reller Windows Boss said at JP Morgan Technology Media & Telecom Conference in Boston. She also shared the news that it will be available as a free upgrade to the existing users, this will put an end to the speculation that Windows 8.1 could be a paid upgrade.
As reported previously it will be available by the end of the year before the holiday season, the first public preview will be released at Microsoft’s BUILD conference on June 26th. The final release might come some time in late October just like Windows 8 release schedule. The Windows 8.1 update is not only limited to the Windows users, but Windows RT users as well receive the update, the public preview also includes Windows RT version.
The update will be pushed through the Windows Store not through the traditional windows updates. According to the Windows Blog the number of apps in the Windows Store crossed 70,000 apps, the list includes popular titles like Twitter, Temple Run, Angry Birds and others.
Windows 8.1 is expected to bring lot of significant changes like start button, metro file explorer among other things based on the user feedback.
Via Windows Blog