Latest on Tech: Apple Inc. (AAPL) & Google Inc (GOOG)’s TV Competition, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)’s New Boosts

Windows 8.1 to be ready for consumers Oct. 18, Microsoft says (Washington Post)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) said Tuesday that consumers can get their copy of the new version of its Windows operating system Oct. 18 and that it has already shipped the updated Windows 8.1 to manufacturers. The consumer release is just shy of Windows 8’s one-year anniversary, and comes on the heels of the big, company-changing news announced last week that chief executive Steve Ballmer will be stepping down. Although last year the company allowed certain Microsoft developers and fans to get their hands on Windows 8 ahead of its commercial release, it looks like everyone will be getting access to Windows 8.1 at the same time.

Apple iTunes Store outage leaves 20% of users in the dark (CNET)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iTunes Store went down Tuesday morning for nearly three and a half hours, preventing some users from making purchases. The outage — which started at 6:00 a.m. PT and lasted until 9:26 a.m. PT — affected 20 percent of users, according to Apple’s system status page. It is unclear what caused the outage, though such service disruptions plaguing Apple’s systems have been on the rise of late.

Google planning ‘robo taxi’ fleet (Telegraph.co.uk)
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is in talks with major auto-components manufacturers, such as Continental AG and Magna International, to build new cars to Google’s specifications, according to a report on former WSJ journalist Jessica Lessin’s blog. People familiar with the matter said that Google has been studying how these vehicles could become part of robo-taxi systems that pick up passengers and work commuters on demand, reducing the need for people to own their own cars.

Microsoft Points Become Real Currency Today (IGN)
At long last, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) finally switched from Microsoft Points to real currency today. The switch is happening in all Xbox Live regions and will automatically convert any existing balance or newly-entered Points card into your local currency. The Xbox Live Marketplace now lists all prices in local currency instead of points as well, and Microsoft reports on its official site that all Points converted to currency will be valid until June 1, 2015 (but “the currency you purchase and add to your account after the transition will not expire”).