14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft announced a couple of days ago that partners who are trying to build more affordable devices would be provided with a special version of Windows 8.1 that comes with Bing as the default search engine within Internet Explorer.
In a post published on The Fire Hose blog, Microsoft also adds that the first devices running Windows 8.1 with Bing will be on display at Computex in Taipei, June 3-4, with sales to begin soon after that.
Not much has been said about Windows 8.1 with Bing, but contrary to what people expected, this isn't an operating system version available to consumers with a freeware license.
Instead, Microsoft is offering the new Windows 8.1 SKU to partners at no cost in order to bring more affordable devices to the market and thus boost the adoption of its modern operating system.
It appears that Windows 8.1 with Bing has already been tested by the majority of partners across the world, so some are already prepared to show their devices running this OS version, while sales should begin sometime in the next couple of months.
A few months ago before Microsoft officially introduced Windows 8.1 with Bing, people familiar with the matter indicated that this new SKU would indeed be offered with a freeware license, but hinted that consumers could also get it at no cost in exchange for using some Bing-branded products, including the search engine.
Evident of Windows 8.1 with Bing reached the web a long time ago, but Microsoft has never wanted to talk publicly about it, even though this is clearly a major milestone in its campaign supposed to push more users to the modern platform.
Of course, Microsoft isn't willing to make the operating system free for everyone, but instead tries to tackle the demand for affordable devices with new tablets and PCs running this new SKU and obviously coming at very low prices. There are no details regarding the price of these new units, but some people hinted that they could be available for less than $250 (180 euros).
Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc says that although Windows 8.1 with Bing will come with Bing as the default search engine, consumers will still be allowed to change the default settings.
"Customers will be able to change that setting through the Internet Explorer menu, providing them with control over search engine settings. This new edition will be only be available preloaded on devices from our hardware partners. Some of these devices, in particular tablets, will also come with Office or a one-year subscription to Office 365," he said.