So, apart from me, who has tried out Windows "Blue" aka 8.1.
Underwhelmed. Definitely no "U-turn"
There's now a "button" (square block really) on the desktop to invoke the tiled start menu, rather than having to work your mouse into the corner - wow!
And (if you can find them) there are options to boot straight to the desktop and have the desktop background behind the tiled start menu.
And a right-mouse-click on the "Starting Block" (as I will now call it) has extra options for shutdown/restart.
Nothing else of importance found so far. No actual useful menus on the desktop
I think I'd describe it as Windows 8.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.1