3 Exciting Windows 8.1 Features That Could Be Announced This Month

The Microsoft Windows 8 operating system is attempting to bring together mobile devices and the desktop. It’s not an easy task, and the results so far have been mixed. Microsoft, however, is pushing forward and preparing to release a beta version of the rumored update, code-named Windows Blue, at their annual Build Conference later this month. In March, they acknowledged the coming release, and since then, a series of leaks and rumors has given the tech community a strong idea of what to expect in Windows 8.1.

Here are a few of the most exciting updates:

The Return of the Start Button

Since Windows 95, Microsoft users have been accustomed to accessing key resources via the Start menu. Traditionally, users were comforted by the Microsoft logo in the bottom left corner of their screens, where they had quick access to applications, documents and system settings. Windows 8, originally released in the fall of 2012, removed the Start button and introduced users to a tiled Start screen that works both with tablets and with desktop computers. The Start button currently brings users to the tiled Start menu, but that could be changing in Windows 8.1 according to ZDNet:

When users are on the Start Screen or inside of a Metro-Style/Windows Store app, according to my source, the new Start Button won't be visible. It only will become visible if/when a user moves the mouse to the bottom left corner. Instead of seeing the thumbnail of apps that Windows 8 users see when the mouse over the left corner, they'll supposedly see the new Start Button instead.

Additionally, rumors suggest that users will have the option to boot straight to the desktop, skipping the tiled Start screen altogether.

New Built-In Apps

In the first release of Windows 8, users were introduced to the Windows Store, which allows them to easily search, download and manage their applications, much like users of Apple’s Mac App Store. As of May, the Windows Store carried 80,302 applications, nearly all built by third parties.

Microsoft, like Apple, also relies on their own apps to complement their operating system. Built-in apps are at the core of the user experience of every version of Windows. Blue will be no different, and Microsoft is adding apps to make the operating system more functional says The Verge:

Additional built-in apps are also available, including an Alarms app that lets you set recurring alarms, and a sound recorder to quickly record audio with a microphone. Microsoft is also building a Windows 8-style calculator that includes scientific modes and an option to convert weight, temperature, volume, and more. The final and fourth application is Movie Moments which appears to be a Windows Movie Maker replacement.

Internet Explorer 11, Powered by the Cloud

A focus on cloud computing is driving changes in Microsoft’s browser, Internet Explorer. IE11 will allow users to sync bookmarks and tabs across their devices, according to The Verge:

Changes include tabs being moved to the bottom with unlimited tabs and subfolders for favorites. Website owners will be able to create their own Live Tiles with IE11 that can be pinned to the Start Screen with access to an RSS stream.

Microsoft will also sync tabs now across Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone, meaning you'll be able to access and load up the tabs that were last used on other devices. It's very similar to Google's Chrome sync option.

Integration with SkyDrive and other cloud services will be key to the success of IE11 and the future of operating system. The Verge is also reporting that the updated browser will support WebGL, a JavaScript API that powers 3D-graphics rendering. Microsft initially hinted at WebGL on Vine.

What are you hoping to see in Windows 8.1? Let us know in the Comments section.