Microsoft has finally confirmed the heavily rumored Windows Blue update for Windows 8. However, the software giant said, "chances of products being named thusly are slim to none."

Frank Shaw, corporate vice president of corporate communications at Microsoft, stated in a blog post, "product leaders across Microsoft are working together on plans to advance our devices and services, a set of plans referred to internally as 'Blue'."

Shaw also hinted at a yearly update for Windows; however, he didn't specify whether or not the company is contemplating following in the footsteps of Apple by releasing regular updates rather than a new operating system every four years. He also failed to mention if these yearly updates will cost users, or if a small payment is required, another similarity to Apple and its Mac OSX updates.

"Our customers have already experienced the ongoing rhythm of updates and innovations over the past six months, including new devices, new apps and services, better performance and new capabilities," Shaw explains. "This continuous development cycle is the new normal across Microsoft — we'll tune everyday experiences as well as introduce bold, connected and exciting new scenarios."

Windows 8 hasn't been pulling out all the stops since the operating system hit the market in 2012. It has been criticized for its new start menu user interface along with the missing start button.

Microsoft hopes to fix many of these problems with Windows Blue's update schedule for the end of 2013. The new update promises to bring to the table Internet Explorer 11, an all-new PC Settings system with all the good stuff from the traditional Control Panel, a new Snap View that allows for up to five apps at the same time on HD monitors, and a tile resize feature taken directly from Windows Phone 8.

The blog post wasn't just talking about Windows: Shaw took time to slightly mock Google for its shutting down of Google Reader:

"See, spring isn't just for cleaning/whacking away at things," Shaw said. "It's also a time to plant and get ready for summer. So ... get ready!"