Microsoft Releases New Build of Redstone 3, Makes Big Changes to Mobile Builds
Microsoft has released a new build of Windows 10 for desktop users, version 16176. This is the second build from the Redstone 3 branch and the company is also releasing a phone build today too, version 15204.
As with all builds, be cautious installing this software on your daily driver has it may have bugs that could be show-stoppers. But, if you do install the release and find something new that hasn’t been announced, make sure to let us know.
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For desktop users, this build has a new feature for those who use the Linux subsystem; Windows COM ports are now accessible from the WSL process. Aside from this, that’s all that is officially new for the desktop.
For mobile users, there is a big change. Going forward, only the following phones will be supported in the Insider program:
- HP Elite x3
- Microsoft Lumia 550
- Microsoft Lumia 640/640XL
- Microsoft Lumia 650
- Microsoft Lumia 950/950 XL
- Alcatel IDOL 4S
- Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL
- SoftBank 503LV
- VAIO Phone Biz
- MouseComputer MADOSMA Q601
- Trinity NuAns NEO
This is a big shift for Microsoft has they are cutting off a significant number of devices from officially obtaining new builds of Windows 10. The company says that devices not on this list can still receive updates but that the updates will be unsupported meaning if you brick your phone, don’t ask Microsoft for help.
Also, the build numbers for Windows 10 Mobile are much lower than that of the desktop counterpart. Microsoft says that this is related to work on OneCore, but it does seem a bit odd that the previous builds had the same version number and now Mobile is far behind.
No matter how you slice it, this doesn’t fair well for Windows Phone loyalists. While the company is still technically building out new features and updates for the platform, it’s becoming harder and harder to support the platform as Microsoft continues to narrow its scope and remove users from the process.
You can read the announcement post, here.
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Conversation 45 comments
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bgoodbody
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Looks like new update now abandon Lumia 735 (only) phone one Verizon). The has been confirmed by a MSFT employee</p>
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wolters
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#97891">In reply to bgoodbody:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed…for those holding on to the ICON, all hope is now gone for Verizon WP users. </p>
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navarac
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97907">I</a>'m starting to think all hope is gone for Microsoft products, period. W10 on the PC just makes successive PCs redundant. Is this their plan?</blockquote><p><br></p>
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madthinus
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Can they just kill it and be done with it?</p>
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CompUser
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97893"><em>In reply to madthinus:</em></a> If that's how you feel about it, stop using it. It's just that easy.</blockquote><p><br></p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p><a href="#97901"><em>In reply to CompUser:</em></a></p><p>From the point of view of a MSFT stockholder, why would I want MSFT expending any further developer time and money on Windows phones or Windows 10 Mobile? Assume I've already ceased using Windows phones [if I ever used any].</p><p>From this perspective, what possible benefits are there from supporting the remaining Windows phone users?</p>
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CompUser
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97931"><em>In reply to hrlngrv:</em></a> My comment was aimed at users who go on constantly about can't Windows Mobile just end? So again I say, if you don't like it, use something else and don't worry about it. By the way, Windows Mobile is so small at this point, it's probably not even a blip on the stockholders radar. Stockholders are concerned about the overall health of the company, not a tiny aspect of it like Windows Mobile.</blockquote><p><br></p>
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Roger Ramjet
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#97931">In reply to hrlngrv:</a></em></blockquote><p>As a person who is both, I guess it would be in an expectation that Windows Phone could do better, get to a meaningful market share, because distribution matters for many many things in the software business. In that endeavor as a shareholder I would be willing to take some loses upfront. </p><p><br></p><p>Obviously the big question is whether this is a realistic expectation or pipe dream. No small shareholder can know that for certain in this situation, and that is why we pay managers the big bucks. However, for it to be realistic, there have to be leading indicators that you can see in the business, e.g. Some specific niche or advantage, which Microsoft has not established. OTOH, Nadella seems to have made his decision on where he is not going, so for me as a user I am simply following the current path of least resistance, continue using my phone until it breaks, and we will see what the situation is at that time. </p>
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James Wilson
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97893"><em>In reply to madthinus:</em></a></blockquote><p>We're talking about Windows 10 here – not last years Android flagship.</p>
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madthinus
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Btw, only phones on that list is phones that Microsoft released or was build for Windows 10.</p>
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Sihaz
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97894"><em>In reply to madthinus:</em></a></blockquote><p>Not the 640…</p>
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EZAB
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97894"><em>In reply to madthinus:</em></a></blockquote><p>I have the 640XL and 640. Both came with 8.1 and both work fine with RS 2. The 640 is starting on RS 3 tonight. (The 640 was a Black Friday Special, 2015). We will see what happens!</p>
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Darmok N Jalad
Log in to Reply<p>You can't really buy most of these supported devices. Lumias are all gone, and T-Mobile just stopped selling the Idol 4S. It sure makes the Elite X3 a tough purchase. What ever happened to the Acer Jade Primo? It was launched as a W10M device, but it disappeared in a hurry. </p>
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Waethorn
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#97895">In reply to Darmok N Jalad:</a></em></blockquote><p>Acer released it late, mainly just to the European market. Once released, they said they had no plans to support the Anniversary Update, so I figure they didn't sell enough to even recoup their R&D costs.</p>
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James Wilson
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97895"><em>In reply to Darmok N Jalad:</em></a></blockquote><p>Apple have the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Why can't Microsoft just have the Elite X3. It's a good phone.</p>
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rameshthanikodi
Log in to Reply<p>At this point Microsoft needs to come out and say it, that they're done with windows phone. You're either in or out. Stop this one-foot-on-base nonsense.</p>
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wolters
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#97898">In reply to rameshthanikodi:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed. And this is not a flame but the constant "I'm sticking with Windows Phone" articles over at Windows Central has become absurd. They are either in denial or just doing their part for the fandom. </p>
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James Wilson
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97922"><em>In reply to wolters:</em></a></blockquote><p>I don't understand. If you have a Windows Phone (as I do) and it works, and it integrates into Office 365, and it has the apps that I need, and Microsoft will keep on updating it and supporting it – what is the problem?</p><p><br></p><p>No – I can't use Snapchat and I don't want to. I'm not 12. Office 365 integrates perfectly with Windows 10 mobile (Exchange / Onedrive support is excellent). My Edge favourites sync between phone and desktop, my notifications sync perfectly between phone and desktop,</p><p><br></p><p>It's a phone. It has a 21MP camera, a UHD AMOLED display, IRIS recognition, a large battery, fast charging and full monthly support from the vendor. I can plug it into my screen and run it full screen (within the limitations of Continuum) Why on earth would I dump it and pay a fortune for a Samsung S8, LG G6, Pixel XL or an iPhone 7 (the only close competitors)?</p><p><br></p><p>Just let Windows 10 users get on with it. Why does it bother you so much?</p>
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Darmok N Jalad
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97926"><em>In reply to James Wilson:</em></a></blockquote><p>It has nothing to do with SnapChat. I'm an iPhone user, I'm not 12, and I use no social media. However, I do enjoy using various retailer apps that feature eCoupons that help me save real money, or having access to the dedicated apps that allow me to enjoy my MLB.tv and PGA Tour Live subscriptions (among others). There are other apps like the Masters app that you only use for one weekend a year, but hey, there they are, ripe for the picking. I don't use that many apps, but I greatly appreciate that I have access to them when I need them. No, I guess none of those apps are critical to survive, but they do actually make that phone I lug around more valuable in my eyes. </p>
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lwetzel
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97926"><em>In reply to James Wilson:</em></a></blockquote><p>"It has nothing to do with SnapChat. I'm an iPhone user, I'm not 12, and I use no social media. However, I do enjoy using various retailer apps that feature eCoupons that help me save real money, or having access to the dedicated apps that allow me to enjoy my MLB.tv and PGA Tour Live subscriptions (among others). There are other apps like the Masters app that you only use for one weekend a year, but hey, there they are, ripe for the picking. I don't use that many apps, but I greatly appreciate that I have access to them when I need them. No, I guess none of those apps are critical to survive, but they do actually make that phone I lug around more valuable in my eyes. "</p><p><br></p><p>Did you notice that no where in your remarks did it say James Wilson or lwetzel? We don't really care that you like to use the apps and therefore chose iPhone. WE don't and we are fine with our Windows Phones. Why should that bother you or @Wolters?</p><p><br></p><p>Why does everyone have to drink the cool aide? </p>
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skane2600
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#97926">In reply to James Wilson:</a></em></blockquote><p>Based on MS's recent history, what makes you think MS will keep on updating and supporting their phones?</p>
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James Wilson
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97936"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p> </p><p>They may not. They may replace them with some other type of mobile device. They may not. I'll get my 2-3 years out of the device and buy something else. I've still paid less than half of what an Apple or Samsung user paid for my 950XL ( whether it be straight out, or hidden in your monthly charge).</p><p><br></p><p>I guess I will have missed out on being able to clip eCoupons, or watch baseball on my phone though. I have to use my computer for that.</p>
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rameshthanikodi
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#97926">In reply to James Wilson:</a></em></blockquote><p>stop making excuses for yourself and microsoft.</p>
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James Wilson
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97926"><em>In reply to James Wilson:</em></a></blockquote><p>stop making excuses for yourself and microsoft.</p><p><br></p><p> I'm open to suggestions. Tell me an android or ios phone with the same spec as a 950XL (camera, screen etc) for the same price?</p>
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CompUser
Log in to Reply<p>I did get the error 800b0109 as described in the release notes, navigated to Settings > Update & security > Windows Insider Program to check for a restart message, and restarted my Lumia 640 from there as instructed, but while this cleared the restart message, it did not clear the error. However, the error did clear after doing two additional restarts, and the update is currently downloading.</p>
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wolters
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>No more Lumia ICON / 930. Well, that's it for any Verizon holdouts. </p>
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djross95
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97905"><em>In reply to wolters:</em></a><em> That's it for me as well. Sold my Icon (for a multitude of reasons, not just this), and ain't coming back until MS gets their shit together. Which, I'm guessing, will be never.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>
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MacLiam
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>My 950XL was offered 15204 as soon as I powered it up, but my little-used 930 (it's mostly just a new-release test bed now) hasn't yet been offered that build. I can understand (though much regret) the company's decision to close the door to RS3 for the 930 series. or probably the x3x phones in general, but I wonder if they have decided not to let even CU updates out to older phones until the release version has been turned loose for all.</p><p>Either way, I'm in it for the long haul with Win10 for phone/mobile/whatever. As long as I can get a phone that will run their latest version, I will keep using it. Currently that's the HP x3, which I no longer have enrolled in the insider program because preview builds get in the way of firmware updates from HP. I don't hate and won't slag either Android or iOS, and in fact have a 6P and 6S+ that I switch off carrying as a backup phone. But for my purposes and for my desired level of security, my perception and judgment is that neither can beat what Microsoft provides. </p>
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EZAB
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97906"><em>In reply to MacLiam:</em></a></blockquote><p>Couldn't agree more with you! The HP Elite x3 could be the next one for me. Hopefully another sale for the x3 this summer or fall? I have the Lumia 950 purchased on sale with no money down at ATT.</p>
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prettyconfusd
Log in to Reply<p>At least people who want to can continue to install on older devices but it makes sense for them to cut off phones that are over 2 years old at this stage. Will be interesting to see what actual features come to Windows 10 Mobile builds over the next few months – especially since by the time it's released a lot of the supported phones will be 2 years old too and there aren't any new devices (other than whatever HP is building next and the potential Cerulean phone/s) arriving to take their places…</p>
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Chris_Kez
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Whew, I'm sure the community was relieved to see the MouseComputer MADOSMA Q601 made the cut! </p><p><br></p>
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lwetzel
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#97924"><em>In reply to Chris_Kez:</em></a></blockquote><p>Sure like what are these?</p><p>Alcatel IDOL 4S, Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL' SoftBank 503LV, VAIO Phone Biz, MouseComputer MADOSMA Q601,</p><p>Trinity NuAns NEO</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Statistical semantics: given so few Windows phones overall, could the Windows phones no longer supported by Insider builds be called significant?</p>
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ponsaelius
Log in to Reply<p>Microsoft burns a lot of it's most loyal fans. By all means have a 2 year support rule. However everything is supposedly Windows 10 and those devices are supposedly "supported" for the lifetime of the device. So in theory we could have a Atom processor netbook with 1gb of RAM that started with Windows 7 in 2010 and is supported for it's lifer due to having a Windows 10 upgrade whereas an insider Lumia 930 from 2014 is not. </p><p>The upgrade and support is a bit murky as far as consumer is concerned.</p><p>Maybe the wider problem for those who care about Microsoft products is their drawer with a Zune, Windowsphone 7, 8 and a Microsoft Band that were all announced in great fanfare but eventually fall into the great pit of Microsoft abandoned products. Not cancelled so much as slow lingering "non announcement" silences where Microsoft just stops talking about them.</p><p>Maybe UWP is next because they have stopped talking about that. For the consumer the impression is that you if buy into the Microsoft ecosystem dont expect Microsoft not to be ruthless and close it down without telling you.</p>
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lwetzel
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>The direct quote from Dona Sarkar is : "Starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update, these are the Windows 10 Mobile devices we will officially support in the Windows Insider Program going forward:"</p><p>Note the "officially support" so we will see.</p>
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Cristobal
Log in to Reply<p>To my surprise, the Lumia 640 survived this round of beheadings. Quite a life span for a $40 smartphone.</p>
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MixedFarmer75
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>End of the road for my son's Lumia 830. I like Windows for phones for the family safety stuff, but unless something changes soon….. When Android gets their family safety working in Canada I can see us jumping ship. So sad. </p>
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lordbaal1
Log in to Reply<p>every phone just cannot support the OS forever. Some phones may not have the hardware to run it</p>
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MutualCore
Log in to Reply<p>Honestly I'm shocked MS is supporting any Windows Phones at this point. Or at least anything other than HP Elite x3 and Lumia 950.</p>
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warren
Log in to Reply<p>This build is green-screening on my Surface Pro 2 during install.</p>
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steadydon
Log in to Reply<p>Somethings gotta be happening. I can't seem to grasp that MS would let HP invest in a mobile device only to have it go obsolete within less then a year. If, however this is what's happening and I'm HP I'd be rethinking my relationship with MS. We did see full Windows on ARM on an 820 so I guess I'll keep holding my breath. I just won't go Apple for anything and while Android apps seem nicely built in most cases and has many more (no biggy for me I'm not a big app guy and WP has all I need) it's less secure and very invasive. Every app want's access to everything. Kinda sucks for me since I just really don't care for Google. We just can't settle for two options there's gotta be a third and it's hopefully MS.</p>
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James Wilson
Log in to Reply<p> Microsoft need a mobile platform because of Bing. Less mobile users means less Bing searches. Google entire mobile platform it's based on this. Microsoft know they can't abandon this income steam.</p>
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steadydon
Log in to Reply<p> If I had a say in it, I'd be replacing management starting from the very top. Microsoft could be so much more if they would only promote, communicate, and inform. Band 2 was pretty cool I still like mine a lot. Mobile really needed promotion and if I'm MS I'm paying some developers. </p>
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Spineless
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#98171"><em>In reply to steadydon:</em></a><em> I hear what you are saying, but regarding the Band cancellation, it was an unfortunate, but prudent decision. I was hoping for a Band 3, where they got durability and battery life right. But the wearables market has crashed to the point that FitBit, the market leader, is having problems. </em></blockquote><blockquote><em>Though, what has been done with phone is completely different. Their lack of communication is upsetting.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>
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wsjhear
Log in to Reply<p>Hi I've got a Lumia 640 and the current OS version is 10.0.15063.2. But up-to-now I have not received the 15204 version yet. And I am in the fast ring. Can anyone possibly help explain? Thanks in advance.</p>