Kurt Shintaku's Blog

UPDATE 6/24/13:

Gartner went public on their recommendations around Windows.

• Windows 8.1 Could Become What Windows 8 Should Have Been
  http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2521615

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UPDATE 6/8/13:
Looks like Erwin Visser wrote another post that I failed to mention about the business features of Windows 8.1 that breaks down the features into the following categories:

• Networking features optimized for mobile productivity
• Security enhancements for device proliferation and mobility
• Improved management solutions to make BYOD a reality
• More control over business devices

Check the full article out here:

• WINDOWS FOR YOUR BUSINESS BLOG:
  Modern Business in Mind: Windows 8.1 at TechEd 2013
  http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/business/archive/2013/06/03/modern-business-in-mind-windows-8-1-at-teched-2013.aspx

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ORIGINAL POST:
After the announcement of Windows 8.1 a.k.a. “Blue” for Windows, a couple notable articles released focused on the Enterprise.  This one breaks down the features into these categories:

• B.Y.O.D (Bring Your Own Device) Enhancements
• Mobility Enhancements
• Modern UI experience
• Security Enhancements

Read the entire post here:

• SPRINGBOARD BLOG:
  ”What’s New For The Enterprise In Windows 8.1”
  http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/
  archive/2013/06/03/what-s-new-for-the-enterprise-in-windows-8-1.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
• TECHNET:
  ”What’s New in Windows 8.1”
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/dn140266.aspx?ocid=wc-bl-sprblog

A very comprehensive review of Windows 8.1’s announcement was made by Ed Bott & Paul Thurrott:

• ZDNET: Windows 8.1 unveiled: will it change your mind about Windows 8?
  Ed Bott Report
  http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-1-unveiled-will-it-change-your-mind-about-windows-8-7000016112/
• WINSUPERSITE: Microsoft Makes Its Case for Windows 8.1 in Business – Windows 8.1 may just put Windows 8 over the top in business
  Paul Thurrott
  http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/microsoft-makes-its-case-windows-81-business

Also notably, a big name in the Enterprise space released an advisory report on their thoughts around Windows 8.1.  Yup.  It’s Gartner Group.

• GARTNER ADVISORY G00253274:  
  “Windows 8.1 Could Become What Windows 8.0 Should Have Been”
  http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=253274 (Requires Gartner access)

(Since I can’t specifically call out what it is that Gartner says, I will tell you that it’s very much worth reading and if you company is a Gartner customer, you will want to take a look at this brand new advisory dated May 30th, 2013, written by Gartner VP & Research Director, Michael Silver.)