Microsoft has just dropped a fresh Windows 10 mobile build for fast ring users. The new build, Build 10136, is one of the biggest upgrades which Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview has ever received. The build, apart from the usual fits and finishes, features major improvements to Cortana and Windows Phone Camera.
However, Microsoft has issued a host of warnings and conditions for all fast ring developers itching to get the new build on their phones.
First, you would have to be running Windows Phone 8.1 OS if you wish to get onboard the new build. That means, If you are running the previous build offered to the Fast ring (10080) and you want to get this build you will need to go back to Windows Phone 8.1 via the Windows Phone Recovery Tool first.
Microsoft points out, that this tediousness has come because of a migration bug, which forced it to not support that upgrade path.
And yes, Microsoft knows its ” a bit painful” but didn’t want to make you wait any longer to get a new build. It thus decided (with feedback from Windows Insiders following me on Twitter) not to hold for those migration issues to be fixed.
However, iff you’re on build 10080 and don’t want to flash back to 8.1 to get this build, you don’t have to do anything. You won’t be offered this build but your phone will still be configured for the next one, and Microsoft does “expect” the next build to have the migration issue fixed, nothing for sure there though.
The new build features a much more closer-to-public-release Cortana. Microsoft has made adjustments to cards in Cortana’s homepage and in the hamburger menu. Owing to popular demand, Microsoft has also added dark theme colors to Cortana’s UI to make it more cohesive with the rest of the OS.
Tracking of your flights and packages has also been enabled so whenever you get an e-mail with flight or package information they show up in the Cortana experience and Cortana will also alert you about them. Several other alerts like going to work, going home and the airport have also been enabled again.
The photos and camera app also feature several UI as well as core functionality improvements in the new build. In the Photos app, tap on a month to get a list of months so you can quickly “jump” to photos you may have taken a while ago. Double-tap zooming has also been enabled.
Apart from this, certain notable performance and reliability improvements on camera front have also joined in the freshly released build. If you’re running this build on a Lumia 640, 640XL, 930, Icon, or 1520 – Microsoft is asking you to check out the new Lumia Camera Beta and make it your default camera app. The Lumia Camera Beta is the same app as the new Windows 10 Camera app but with additional features that “light up” based upon your Lumia’s hardware.
Other notable improvements include easier-than-before one-handed use for mobile devices with a 5-inch or larger screen size. Press and hold the Start button and your screen will slide down so you can reach items at the top of your screen.
Now, if you do plan on goig through that entire pain of reverting to Windows Phone OS 8.1 and then installing Build 10136, there is an important piece of info you might want to take a look at.
At the end of the upgrade the Lock screen will appear frozen without the date and time for up to 10 minutes. Microsoft is asking you to be patient – eventually the date and time will appear and it will allow you to unlock your phone. There is a post-upgrade migration status screen missing, which normally would show you that it was making progress.
For further information, you can read the entire release log here.
