Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul has taken today off work to celebrate his wife’s birthday. That’s hasn’t stopped him from taking to Twitter and keeping Windows Insiders updated on what’s coming. Microsoft haven’t released a new build in a while but one is on the horizon as Aul recommends people who want less risk should “move to slow” ring as fast ring users gets riskier.
Gabe Aul confirmed today on Twitter that while there won’t be a new build, there will be one out to ‘fast ring’ users very soon as Aul has warned that people who want less risk should move to the slow ring because Microsoft have decided to increase the pace of the fast ring. It seems the reason the build hasn’t come out today is because Microsoft needed to update Insiders on what is happening, “that means letting people know first” as Gabe tweeted. He also said that Microsoft is still considering new rings but will try out the increase pace of fast to see how Insiders feel about it.
Currently, Microsoft has a new build running through the internal rings right now which Aul says will be rolling out to insiders and includes “some new features” he believes we’ll like. As for what these are, I think Microsoft will be including a version of its ‘Project Spartan’ web-browser in this build including the note-annotating and Cortana integration. It will be an early version of the browser but will be Microsoft’s first step in releasing its non-Internet Explorer clean UI browser experience. I also believe transparency will be added to the Start Menu. There will also be most likely a new OOBE (out of box experience) that has OneDrive and Cortana opt-in screens and the ability to sign into a corporate Active Directory if running a PRO SKU of Windows 10. The login screen is also expected to receive an update with slight design changes.
What about Windows 10 for phones? It’s coming, however I don’t expect it to happen the same time as the new desktop release. Gabe Aul confirmed that “more phones” will be supported on the next build, as for features, they’ve stayed quiet. I would also expect a preview version of ‘Project Spartan’ available for phones in the next build as Microsoft recently demoed at Mobile World Congress.
So when do I expect Microsoft to release the next Technical Preview? Maybe I’m reading into this too much but I think tomorrow, just before the weekend kicks off is a good time. Seeing as Aul tweeted that they had to let users know first before releasing a build suggests to me that Microsoft has its next build for Windows Insiders ready to release to fast ring users. If not tomorrow, I think next week is guaranteed. Microsoft are ready to release the bits, they just had to warn the less tech-savvy Insiders first.
When do you think we’ll see the new build are what are you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments below!
Alan Walsh is a games journalist, head writer at AR12Gaming. They contributed 52 articles to ICXM in 2015, focused on game reviews, Windows and PC, and Xbox news: leads editorial for AR12Gaming and reviews titles for OpenCritic.