14 DAY TRIAL // While Microsoft doesn’t provide any official confirmation on Windows Blue, more and more sources familiar with the matter are talking about the first major Windows 8 upgrade that’s reportedly scheduled to go on sale in August.
A new job advertisement published by the Redmond-based technology giant this week revealed that Windows Blue will come with updated Metro apps, as Microsoft is now looking for engineers that could help port some of the existing Windows 8 tools to the upcoming OS upgrade.
According to the information published on the Microsoft Careers website, Fresh Paint is one of the first apps to get Windows Blue support, even though it’s not yet clear whether the company is also planning to introduce new features or not.
In addition, we’ve finally got the confirmation that Windows Blue will spawn a Windows Phone upgrade, as Microsoft is seeking an engineer to work on the so-called “Windows Mobile 8,” most like Windows Phone Blue.
“In the short term, we are developing the next version of the Fresh Paint app for Windows Blue and taking it to Windows Mobile 8,” reads the job ad.
Windows Blue is also very likely to help Windows 8 recover, as early uptake is pointing to a disappointing sales performance of Microsoft’s latest operating system.
Rick Sherlund, a Nomura Equity Research analyst, said in a statement that Windows Blue might represent Windows 8’s next chance to succeed, as it’s very likely to bring a wide array of improvements.
“More apps are to be introduced for the Windows 8 store, enterprises will have had more time to pilot and adopt the technology, more exciting form factors will finally have been delivered, and Windows ‘Blue’ should have been delivered to address form factors below 10 inches such as the popular 7 inch form factor,” he said.