Windows 9 Release Date on September 30; Features Not Different from Windows 8?

Back in January this year, it was reported that Windows 9 will be expected to arrive in April 2015, which is less than a year from now.

"To distance itself from the Windows 8 snafu, Microsoft's next major update - Threshold - will reportedly skip Windows 8.2 and jump straight to Windows 9," ExtremeTech said. "The Start menu is expected to make its illustrious return, and you should be able to run Metro apps on the Desktop in windows."

"By moving to Windows 9, it definitely signals that Microsoft is looking to make drastic, significant changes," the site added.

Judging by the rumored change in the upcoming operating system's launch date, it appears the company founded by Bill Gates is indeed eager to make amends at the quickest time possible, too.

"A new report says Microsoft will give the world a first look at the new version of Windows on Sept. 30 or soon afterward at a press event to announce a developer build of the software," Mashable said. "The date is tentative, but the general timeframe is the end of September/beginning of October.

A preview version of the new OS, codenamed "Threshold," as mentioned, is reportedly going to be released during the aforementioned months. This will "give developers a first look at the new mini Start Menu in Windows 9, alongside the removal of the Charms bar feature and several UI changes," according to The Verge.

"While Threshold is likely to be named Windows 9, it's unlikely that Microsoft will name its upcoming Windows release at its press event," the news source continued. "Instead, Microsoft is said to be planning an overview of key new features of the upcoming operating system, with a technical preview ready for developers and enthusiasts."

"Microsoft is also building a separate combined version of Windows RT and Windows Phone, and the company may take the time to detail this work during its press event. Either way, Microsoft's next version of Windows is nearing completion and the company will be ready to talk more about it next month," the site added.

Also, Cortana, the Windows Phone voice assistant that is somewhat Microsoft's version of Apple's Siri, is also expected to be included in "Threshold," although it may not be featured at the supposed fall preview.

Sounds very promising, indeed. And it looks like Windows 9 will be launched sooner than earlier reported.

It can be recalled that Windows 8 was largely planned as a "flop," as Forbes put it.

"It is a painful thing to say about one of the most ambitious operating systems ever released, but the stats don't lie," the finance and business news source noted. "It has taken half the OS market share Windows 7 did in its first 12 months (10% vs. 20%) and now the adoption rate is so slow it is barely gaining on its 4 ½ year old predecessor."

Will Microsoft get it right this time around? We'll know in September.