(http://i60.tinypic.com/2l1941.png)
MICROSOFT HAS taken the covers off yet another Windows 10 Mobile build before the parent platform gets its official release on 29 July.
Build 10166 of the Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview has just been released to the 'fast ring' of the programme, that is to say those who are willing to get bleedin' edge, potentially less stable, updates.
This is particularly true of Windows 10 Mobile which lags seriously behind in its development with no official release date being offered.
Meanwhile, the new build fixes "most of the known issues" from its predecessor, 10149, including one which made the lock screen appear to freeze for up to 10 minutes. In addition the Windows Store has had its beta tag removed following some refinements.
The release comes at a funny time in the evolution of Windows Mobile (aka Windows Phone, aka Windows Mobile again).
Just last week, Microsoft revealed that it will drop 6,800 jobs in its hardware division and write off $7.6bn. In effect, this neuters its purchase of Nokia, which has not borne fruit for a company trying to grab a slice of the mobile apple pie.
Some analysts have even speculated that the move is a white flag, and that Nadella is considering a switch to Android following a similar move by fellow also-ran BlackBerry.
In addition to the main build, a number of stock apps have been upgraded and these can be downloaded from the Store.
We're now just over two weeks from the launch of the 'final' edition of Windows 10, which sees a common platform across all form factors and universal apps designed to work on everything from a mobile phone to an Xbox.
However, the Nokia write off, the continuing slow development of the phone aspect, and the decision to resurrect the Windows Mobile name, coupled with its 2.7 percent market share according to IDC Q1 figures, suggests that this particular form factor is already done for. µ
Source: theinquirer.net