Microsoft to Windows 8.1
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella gestured during his keynote address at the company's ''build'' conference in San Francisco, California April 2, 2014. REUTERS

Microsoft might release the Windows 8.1 Update 2 on Aug 12. The update was always expected in August, though no specific dates were mentioned, so far.

Microsoft, too, hasn't confirmed the rumoured Aug 12 launch date even though it seems probable on at least one count. It's a Tuesday and Microsoft rolls out its bug fixes and patches on the second Tuesday of every month, something that is referred to as the Patch Tuesday, as is mentioned in Ubergizmo.

There is another reason though for users to pin their hopes on the reported Aug 12 launch date for the update. The rumour has its origins in the Russian site PCPortal.org.ru which has a reputation of sorts in being fairly accurate with its predictions.

However, so much for the launch date and the confusion centred around it, Microsoft might still not have the Start menu or even a mini version if it as part of the Update 2 package, claims Neowin. Instead, that could be left to Windows 9 Threshold which is expected to be launched not before April 2015, as per Ubergizmo.

The update in itself is unlikely to be anything extravagant, instead focusing mainly on bug fixes and stability rather than introducing other features. Microsoft has showed off a mini Start menu during its BUILD 2014 event stoking interest among rumour mongers about the possibility of its inclusion in the Windows 8.1 Update 2.

Meanwhile, in another related development, there are also speculations about Microsoft's plans to come up with a single operating systems across various segments. The speculation has its origin in a recent job listing posted at the Microsoft site that has caught the attention of @h0x0d. If true, this could lead to a single operating system instead of Windows, Windows Phone or the Xbox.

Apple, too, is believed to be thinking along the same lines, as reported by Ubergizmo. This started with the introduction of iOS-like features in OS X. The process is likely to get further impetus in the coming version of the operating system that caters to the Mac series of computers.