Microsoft to reveal 'Threshold' aka Windows 9 in April

Microsoft’s big plans for its Windows platform codenamed “Threshold” have been making news for quite sometime. A new report by Winsupersite's Paul Thurrott says the company is all set to release its next iteration of the OS possibly called Windows 9 next year in April 2015. Late last year, ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, who has a stellar record when it comes to getting information on forthcoming Microsoft plans, had revealed the same, saying Threshold will unify the three OS platforms. The report further says that Microsoft will unveil the first glimpse of Windows 9 at the company’s Build 2014 developer conference in April, and the OS will be released around the same time next year. The company plans to release three milestones of Threshold before the final release. Though the new features of Windows 9 aren’t clear, it is believed that the company plans to ward off some criticism that it received for the Windows 8 OS. Some of the changes reportedly include the "Metro 2.0" inside the new OS that will focus on improving Microsoft’s new app world and tiles. Rumours also point out at separate Windows 8-style ("Metro") apps, which allow them to float and run in separate windows on the traditional desktop. According to a previous report, Windows 8.2 update, also known as Threshold, will be bringing back the Start menu along with the ability to use Windows 8's Modern apps as floating windows on the desktop itself. The company had introduced back the Start button in Windows 8.1 to ease the transition, and the next version may see a complete U-turn.