Win8 to get app updates, price drop?

MANILA, Philippines – If certain reports are accurate, Microsoft may be positioning Windows 8 for a second burst of adopters following price drops and reported updates to core applications.

The Wall Street Journal writes that “people familiar with the situation” said Microsoft has been offering price breaks on Windows 8 and Office software to kickstart further growth in the manufacturing and spread of small, touch-enabled laptops.

Microsoft did not confirm or deny any price lowering.

Regarding core application updates for Windows 8, ZDNet says these may actually happen before any rumored Windows Blue update comes to pass.

While Windows Blue, a rumored upgrade to Windows 8 and Windows RT, has only been speculated at but not confirmed, ZDNet writer Mary Jo Foley heard from her contacts that updates to various core applications on Windows 8 may appear as early as March.

An upgrade to Windows 8’s applications coupled with a price drop from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) would certainly be enticing to a subset of the Microsoft Windows userbase. Till things are more certain though, Windows users would best be served by staying alert for cheaper computers or better versions of existing Windows 8 apps. – Rappler.com