Out with the blue, in with the new – or, rather, in with the numbers. Microsoft (News - Alert) announced on Tuesday that its Windows Blue will officially be called Windows 8.1, The Next Web reports.

The company adds that the new version will arrive as a free Windows 8 update, available for download through the Windows Store.

Microsoft made the announcement at the JP Morgan (News - Alert) Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston. Tami Reller, chief marketing officer and chief financial officer of Windows, dished the details.

The company spoke to the fact that there are currently more than 70,000 apps in the Windows Store. Microsoft says that like it's a big deal – which it may be for Microsoft's Windows Store – but it's nothing compared to what app top dogs Android (News - Alert) and iOS offer.

Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft’s communications manager for Windows, took to the Windows blog, to discuss the direction of the company in light of Windows 8.1, writing the following:

“During her remarks today, Tami reiterated our goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey we first began with Windows 8 last fall. Windows 8.1 will help us to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets with our OEM partners and to deliver the experiences customers— both consumers and businesses alike —need and will just expect moving forward.”

How's that for vague?

In more vagueness, LeBlanc alludes to a date, stating that Microsoft plans to share more about Windows 8.1 “in the coming weeks.”

Matters should be deeply revealed on June 26 – the first day of Microsoft’s Build 2013 developer conference – when a public preview of Windows 8.1, for both Windows 8 and Windows RT, will be made available.

The final Windows 8.1 is rumored to have a launch date in time for the next holidays.