The news on 8.1 Update 1 is slowly trickling out... and it all seems positive. In particular I read this today...

 Quote:
Microsoft is also making the default program for pictures and audio files relevant to the device they are being opened on. Whereas it used to be that these files were associated with the Metro-style Photo and Music apps, The Verge reports that pictures and audio files now open by default in the Windows Photo Viewer or Windows Media Player whenever they are opened using a non-touchscreen desktop PC.


 Quote:
First and foremost, both Paul Thurrot and The Verge have been able to confirm that this latest build boots to the desktop on non-touchscreen PCs by default, while tablets like the Surface 2 bring up the Start screen by default.


http://www.techspot.com/news/55615-more-...ch-tuesday.html