The first major update to Windows 8 brings some cool features to the table but it will not turn its detractors into fans any time soon.
The final version of Windows 8.1 is expected to be rolled out only at the end of this year but its beta was made available to the public two weeks ago.
I was initially overjoyed when I heard that Microsoft would bring back the Start button to the Desktop but when I tried it, it was an utter disappointment.
Clicking on the Start button simply takes you back to the new Start Screen designed for touch. Microsoft said this button is useful for users who are using tablets and phones but this must surely be the biggest red herring for PC desktop users hoping to regain the familiarity of the good old Windows desktop navigation style.
A major problem which was not addressed is the still-missing must-have native touch apps, such as Gmail, Google Maps, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Facebook, which one can find in any mobile device. Some popular apps, such as Evernote, have been dumbed down for Windows 8 touch.
Even the touch versions of Microsoft's flagship programme Office suite are a work in progress. Office is still running off the non-touch Desktop mode, more than seven months after the launch of Windows 8.
The Microsoft tablet experience is getting better with Windows 8.1, but I feel it is still an inferior product to the iOS and Android platforms. For fans, DL has picked the coolest new features to look out for.
Snap to fit
Trying to view two open apps side by side was a pain in the past because the two had a fixed 70:30 ratio. With 8.1, you can resize them at will and can have more than two apps on screen at the same time, if your screen resolution permits.
IE improvements
Believe it or not, Internet Explorer 10 for the touch interface did not let you bookmark your favourite links.
Version 11 finally lets you do that, though it makes you wonder why such a basic feature was not available right from the start.
Also new is the ability to snap two browser tabs side by side, so you can view two websites at the same time.
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