Not So Fast Ring: Next Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Coming ‘Very Soon’
When Microsoft delivered test builds of Windows 10 to Windows Insiders, it did so with a Fast and Slow ring. Users on the Fast ring received more frequent updates, but had to deal with builds that sometimes weren’t quite ready for primetime. Slow ring users received updates at a more languid pace, but the builds they did receive were for the most part very solid.
The same holds true for Windows 10 Mobile, which is currently under testing with a Fast/Slow ring. However, it seems lately that Microsoft has forgotten all about the Fast ring, as neither group of Windows Insiders have received a fresh build of the operating system in a month — the last build, Build 10166, was delivered to Fast ring users on July 11.
Needless to say, many Windows Insiders are getting a bit antsy regarding the long gap between new builds. When questioned last week, Gabe Aul simply replied on Twitter, “It will be a few more days. We're moving to a new branch for Mobile and that takes a bit of prep. Newer than 10240.”
A week later, Windows Insiders are still clamoring for some updates on Windows 10 Mobile, so Aul once again took to Twitter to give a status update:
We have a build that is looking good (in the 105xx range) to share very soon, but it won't be today.
— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) August 11, 2015
It’s at least nice to see that some great progress has been made in the past month given the jump in build numbers, but if you were expecting for Microsoft to add support for additional devices during the Insider Preview, you’re going to be disappointed:
@naveen4181 No new devices supported for next build
— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) August 11, 2015
With that being said, Windows 10 Mobile is still on track to be released this fall, and at launch will support the following ten devices: Lumia 430, Lumia 435, Lumia 532, Lumia 535, Lumia 540, Lumia 640, Lumia 640 XL, Lumia 735, Lumia 830, and Lumia 930. The best-selling Lumia 520 is not included on that list, but we have the feeling that Microsoft is just working to ensure that users have the best Windows 10 Mobile experience with a device that is so lacking when it comes to hardware.