14 DAY TRIAL // A leaked early build of Windows Blue reached the web about one week ago, bringing us plenty of new details about the first important makeover for the new Windows 8 OS.
Basically, Blue won't bring back the Start button, but instead it will offer several Start Screen customization options, some of which are supposed to help users change the wallpapers and the colors.
Larger and smaller tiles are also likely to debut in Blue, as well as a new up and down navigation option to quickly browse the installed apps pinned to the Start Screen.
In addition, it may seem like the Windows 8 upgrade is very likely to include Start Screen synchronization options that would basically allow adopters to use the same settings, such as live tiles and customizations across multiple devices.
Microsoft is betting big on the built-in Modern apps, so Windows Blue is expected to come with some new solutions developed by the Redmond-based technology giant.
The leaked ISO included an alarm tool, a calculator and a so-called Movie Moments app, which is most likely supposed to be a Metro version of the Windows Movie Maker solution available on the desktop operating system.
Last but not least, Microsoft is also working on some secret options, such as a slide to unlock shutdown utility for the lock screen, plus several option interface customization settings.
As for the release date, nothing is confirmed for the time being, but Microsoft recently announced that its 2013 BUILD developer conference would take place in June.
This could also be the right moment to launch the first beta version of Blue, so expect the first official build in just a few months. If previous reports are true, the stable operating system should be released in August, as Microsoft doesn't intend to release any other preview ISO to Windows 8 users.