Question: Is Microsoft updating SAPI or any speech components in Windows 8? 

I can't seem to find any mention of any updated [APIs](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh920511%28v=vs.85%29.aspx) or [technology](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh920512%28v=vs.85%29.aspx) to be included with Windows 8.

Answer: 
No. Windows 8 ships with the same SAPI 5.4 from Windows 7.
For windows 8 ui applications, there are no inbox speech apis.