Second time lucky as Windows 8.1 heads to manufacturers

Only 10 months after launching Windows 8, Microsoft has returned for a second crack at the market, sending a finished Windows 8.1 to manufacturers.

But despite the software, including Windows RT 8.1, ready and seeded to hardware partners, the public have to wait until October 18 for the rollout, with Kiwis first in line.

Right on cue however, Windows 8.1 is available to OEM partners by late August, as predicted by Windows CMO and CFO Tami Reller in July.

And with the wheels firmly in motion over in Redmond, the rest of the world will be hoping Microsoft's free update finally becomes what the operating system should have always been.

“Thanks, in part, to customer feedback and an unparalleled level of collaboration across product teams, Windows 8.1 is a significant update that will bring an even greater unified experience for customers,” said Antoine Leblond, Corporate VP in a Blogging Windows post.

“As we consider the code we just handed off, and the new intuitive and fluid computing experience it provides – anytime, anywhere, across all devices – we’re confident we made the right bet in continuing our vision and following through on our commitment to rapid innovation and responsive engineering.”

While partners prepare the new devices, Microsoft says the Windows team will continue to work closely with them as it puts the finishing touches on Windows 8.1 leading up to general availability on October 18.

On that date, as previously reported, Windows 8.1 will be broadly available for commercial customers with or without volume licensing agreements, our broad partner ecosystem, subscribers to MSDN and TechNet, as well as consumers.

Will you be the first Kiwi in the queue for Windows 8.1 on October 18? Tell us your thoughts below