Windows 8.1 set for August shipping date

Microsoft Windows 8.1 will be available to manufactures in late August, just weeks after revealing a preview version of the software.

Speaking at the company's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Texas, Windows CMO and CFO Tami Reller confirmed the release will be available for OEM partners in just over a month.

"This means OEMs will be able to get the RTM bits and begin preparing devices with Windows 8.1 just in time for the holidays," Reller said.

"We’ll have more details to share in the coming months for consumers and other customers on how to get Windows 8.1.

"As you have heard, Windows 8.1 is an update that refines the vision of Windows 8."

Two weeks ago, Reller announced the Windows 8.1 Preview for people to try out, and now the Windows chief reiterated the momentum Microsoft is seeing today with Windows 8.

"We now have more than 20 million enterprise evaluations and that Windows 8 has logged 60 billion hours of use," she claimed.

Reller also announced that in January 2014, Microsoft will be launching the User Experience Design Competency.

This competency will provide a way for partners to train their designers and get recognised for their expertise with the Microsoft Design Language.

Finally, she announced a brand new program called TouchWins – Microsoft's new commercial channel incentive for featured Windows devices.

Through this program, the software company will provide incentives to authorised distributor and reseller partners who sell Featured PCs and tablets with Windows 8 Pro and touch.

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