SINGAPORE, October 17, 2013 — Microsoft today announced the availability of Windows 8.1, a feature-rich update to its popular Windows 8 operating system, enabling customers to create experiences that keep pace with their lives—at work, at home or on the go. Beginning today, consumers with a Windows 8 device can download the free update via Windows Store1. Windows 8.1 will also be available on new devices and as boxed software starting October 18th in local retail stores.
Windows 8.1 evolves the Windows vision for highly-personalized computing while showcasing Microsoft’s continued commitment to rapid and responsive development. It marks a wave of new, innovative devices coming for consumers and businesses—from the convenience and mobility of tablets and hybrid form factors to the productive experience expected from laptops and all-in-ones. Many of these new devices are already touch-enabled and will deliver advancements in processing power, battery life and design, across a range of price points.
“With Windows 8, we gave users a no-compromise computing experience, perfect for this era of highly mobile, touch-enabled, and always-connected computing,” said John Fernandes, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, Microsoft Singapore. “Windows 8.1 evolves our vision and brings together everything people do across all their devices whether at home, at work or on the go. Windows is delivering the most personal computing experience out there, making your device a unique extension of you and offering more ways to create an experience that is personal, expressive and keeps pace with your life.”
Windows 8.1 offers a host of increased customization refinements, functional improvements and new innovation including:
- A highly personal experience. An improved and more customizable Start screen with variable tile sizes, more background designs and colors to choose from so that each Windows device will look completely unique and personal to the individual. In addition, customers can choose how to start their Windows experience – at the Start Screen or boot directly into the familiar Desktop environment.
- More familiar and easy to navigate. As an iconic part of the Windows experience, Windows 8.1 brings back the Start button as a familiar point of navigation. An All Apps view lets users see all of their apps at once for easy access and new clicks and cues as well as a Help and Tips app that get you up to speed quickly.
- Enhanced Search. The new Bing Smart Search provides the easiest way to find anything on the device or on the Web in one beautiful and easy consolidated view. Simply swipe or type from the start screen and Smart Search will find it– whether it’s a document on your PC, a photo album in the cloud, a favorite app, or a website.
- Wide range of apps and services from the Start. Windows 8.1 is the most complete out-of-the-box experience. It offers a range of apps and services that are available from the Start screen, allowing customers to quickly and easily do the things they love on Windows, including video chatting with loved ones via Skype, effortless email in the Mail app, writing a proposal with Office or finding a new recipe with the Bing Food and Drink app. Windows 8.1 is also the first and only operating system with native support for 3D printing, meaning it will have plug-and-play support for 3D printers, enable apps to seamlessly print 3D jobs and understand 3D file formats.
- The best for multi-tasking and productivity including displaying and using up to four apps side by side, flexible windows sizing for each app on the screen, the ability for one app to launch another app and improved multi-monitor support allowing users to view the desktop or apps from the Windows Store on any or all monitors.
- Deep cloud integration with SkyDrive, making it easier than ever to work from anywhere and know that your files are always accessible – across devices and locations. With SkyDrive Smart Files, users can create, edit, save and share files anywhere, anytime, on whatever device is being used.
- The new Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) will be packed with Windows 8.1. The new browser is fast, fluid and the only browser designed from the ground up for touch devices. IE11 brings enhanced touch performance, speed boosts and synchronized browsing history, favorites, and settings across all of your Windows 8.1 devices.
- A beautifully redesigned Store. The new design of the Windows Store improves how great apps are showcased and makes it easier to get the apps you want. Fresh layouts and categories such as ‘New & Rising’ make it easier to stay up-to-date on the hottest new entries to explore. Personalized recommendations use Bing’s advanced recommendation and relevance system help you find new favorites. And with Windows 8.1, apps are updated automatically by default, so you always have the newest and best version of any app.
- New apps for Windows. New apps are also continually being delivered to the Store by popular developers including Evernote, Facebook, Adobe PhotoShop Express and eBay. In Singapore, online retailer Qoo10, puzzle game Feed Garfield and more have also launched new Windows app for local audiences.
Upgrade paths, availability and pricing
Windows 8.1 is available for free for all Windows 8 customers from today. Customers will need to update their devices via the Windows Store.
For Windows 7 customers, the update can be purchased and installed via windows.sg or purchased at authorized retailers from October 18th. For current Windows XP and Windows Vista users, Windows 8.1 can be purchased at authorized retailers from October 18th.
The recommended retail pricing for Windows 8.1 is at S$169.00 and at S$289.00 for Windows 8 Pro.
Customers can also go to http://www.windows.com/shop to learn about the wide variety of new Windows devices available now and coming throughout the holiday season to find the one that best fits their needs, and their budget.
For more information about Windows 8.1, please visit http://www.blogs.windows.com.
Additional information:
1. Update paths defer across Windows OS. Please click here for more details.
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