More tidbits are leaking out about the kinds of changes to expect from Windows Blue, the next big release of Microsoft's signature operating system.

In what is referred to as a prerelease version dubbed Build 9364, the Windows 8 Start screen appears with both larger and smaller Live Tile setups, increased user control over color personalization, new options in style settings, and an additional snap view to let users place apps side by side in a 50-50 arrangement, according to Tom Warren at the Verge, citing screenshots posted today to the Polish language Winforum site.

Microsoft has made available new firmware updates for its Surface tablet/PCs as part of its March 12 bunch of Patch Tuesday updates. The March Surface RT firmware updates include more Wi-Fi updates. This one is said to improve roaming and "limited" connectivity scenarios.

The new firmware updates also resolve issues with the integrated volume button; improve the Type and Touch cover typing experiences on soft surfaces and/or when devices and keyboards are lying flat; fix issues with "random muting" and make unspecified Trackpad performance improvements.