At the start of the week, Microsoft told WinBeta that they would be having a more active role in pushing out the Windows 10 Mobile update, rather than leaving it solely to phone carriers to push it out.
“Microsoft is working closely with mobile operators to leverage their testing and our flighting to meet and exceed current quality bars. We will use their input but will decide when to send the updates out based on input from Mobile Operators and our Windows Insiders,” the company explained to WinBeta.
From documentation made available from the recently updated Windows 10 SDK, we have learned more about changes Microsoft is making to its Live Tiles. The new SDK allows for developers to expand how they use jump lists for their apps. For instance, developers can now have users right click or long press a Live Tile to pull up a jump list. From here, developers will have the option to create additional functionality or quick-actions for their Live Tiles. As Windows 10 is a single OS for PCs and phones, quick-actions could make their way to Windows 10 Mobile Live Tiles in the future.
Microsoft finally rolled out a new Mobile build for Windows Insiders — build 10549. Unfortunately, in order to work around a bug that black screens your phone after installing the new build, you must update from Windows Phone 8.1. But don’t worry, we’ve gone hands-on for you, and you can watch the build in action below.
With this new build of Windows 10 Mobile, Cortana is now available in Japan, Australia, and Canada. Cortana is also expected to arrive for Insiders in Brazil and Mexico later this year. Cortana will also be available in the French language later this year (for those of you in Canada).
While Microsoft showed off the Lumia 950, 950XL and 550 during its big New York Windows 10 devices event, half way across the world at a separate event in Japan, other phone OEMs were showing off their own Windows 10 Mobile devices. Soon, Windows 10 Mobile fans will be able to choose between a phone from Microsoft, NuAns, Freetel, Acer, VAIO (without Sony) and a few others. Unfortunately, the reveal was a bit light on details such as ship dates, region, carrier and device exclusives. The prices of the devices also remain a mystery, but it is encouraging to see some much needed support for the ecosystem begin to emerge.
This past week, we broke a story on the Lumia 950XL demo units being pulled from the Microsoft Store and returned to corporate. Microsoft responded to us, indicating that these units were merely prototype units and the phones are expected to roll out next month.
And finally, a press render of the Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL leaked onto the internet. This new phone is expected to be a budget Windows 10 Mobile device, and you can check it out here.
Windows 10 Mobile news recap is a weekly feature that highlights the top stories from the previous week. You can keep up to date with all things Windows 10 Mobile by bookmarking our dedicated page.