The challenge, as usual, is to get to a build that can be used as the basis for the over the air upgrade for regular Windows Phone 8.1 users. We were expecting these upgrades to start happening just before Christmas (to the Lumia 640 etc.), but everything got delayed by the holidays. The new expected start date for this rollout is now err... February. Ish. At least there are clues in the fixes below that the focus on the upgrade experience is there.
Our editorial devices are updating as I write this (the usual spinning cogs for half an hour), comments welcome if you have particular observations. In theory, there should be news about this build in 'The Insiders Hub', but that's not working for me on editorial devices right now, so.... Aha, we have an old-style post from Gabe Aul:
We have been working on addressing Windows Insider feedback of the update experience and today many Insiders will get to try out these fixes. Windows Insiders that downloaded the Configuration Update that was published on Friday, or has a device that was automatically updated over the weekend, will experience improvements in the performance and reliability of receiving this Cumulative Update. But don’t worry if you have not yet downloaded the Configuration Update to your device, it will be included in the download with this update.
The fixes for 10586.71 include:
- Windows Update performance and reliability improvements
- Improvements in migration of data profiles and messaging settings when upgraded from Windows Phone 8.1.
- SensorCore API’s are now upgraded correctly from Windows Phone 8.1; allowing applications, including many fitness applications, to correctly access movement data.
- SD card detection has been improved on boot and after insertion; File Explorer now handles the removal of an SD card when the default for apps or photos are set to SD.
- Improvements in the Edge browser, including PDF rendering.
- Bluetooth improvements when re-connecting to already paired devices and cars; turn by turn directions, and when using Cortana with the Microsoft Band.
- Improvements in Settings when downloading Maps or changing Quick Settings.
- Reinstalling Groove Music from the Windows Store no longer causes DRM music playback issues. Groove Music local song collections are now more quickly imported within the application
- Device power improvements after listening to music, after missed phone calls when iris detection is disabled, and when downloading updates.
- In app purchases now work correctly when cellular data is disabled.
- Improvements to the reliability of Kids Corner.
Note that if you don't see this update (10586.71) then you probably need to go back into the 'Windows Insiders' application and approve access to the 'fast ring' again. This may involve signing in again and also restarting the phone.
The delays for the Windows 10 Mobile updates to every day users on Windows Phone 8.1 is unfortunate, but if you've been living with W10M day to day like me then you'll know that there are lots of little annoyances which would be frustrating showstoppers to anyone not as patient and as err.... enthusiastic about the OS as us. There's no point in rolling all this out until it's 99.9% ready. 95% just isn't good enough.