Maybe this is a secret service pack/add-on that will be used to fix Windows 8 fu....up a month after release (when they see that sales are dangerously LOW and they are failing.... and in order to bring more customers it will bring us Aero, etc. to attract more customers to buy it... (wishful thinking ) and in consequence to save the day.. Just a thought....
I think you didn't quite understand this thread. Windows has been put into a 3 years cycle, that means Windows 9 is due in 3-4 years. So Microsoft left half the developer team into Blue, a supposedly update to Windows 8, and the other half to start developing Windows 9. Isn't it smart to use all the time available and start developing Win 9 now? Win 8 will still be updated.
Essentially, think of "Windows Blue" as Windows 8 SP1 (that may or may not be an accurate description) or Windows 8 Plus (that also may or may not be an accurate description.) Windows 9, on the other hand, will start development for a 2015-2016 release (assuming that it isn't pushed back for whatever reason.) This is far from unheard of; a number of software titles start work on new versions soon after the current version goes gold because it literally takes years for large products to be ready for release. If Microsoft waited until later in Windows 8's lifespan to start working on Windows 9 then it wouldn't be ready until nearly 2020.
Windows Blue = Windows 7? Listen, KrlzGmz, Windows 8 may not be the OS that we want right now, it may not even be the OS that we need right now but it is the OS that we deserve because we've been very naughty users and this is our punishment. I'm just kidding of course, I like the second mock-up.