Here comes the newest preview of Windows 10, and it arrives with new features that should be come become available to an expanded list of smartphones that run on the Windows system. The new features include revamp Phone, Messaging, and People apps.
Aside from bringing a host of new features, the second public build, designated number 10051, also includes the Project Spartan browser that is already present in PCs powered by Windows 10. It may not exactly be the browser we see being used on desktop computers (and it is not the default browser for smartphones running on Windows yet), but it does offer us a bit of an idea of where Microsoft is heading with its browser, that is, if you do not mind some of the bugs.
Microsoft has also added the new universal Maps app to this second public build for Windows 10 for smartphones. As explained by the company, the new Maps app will include the best maps, aerial photographs, local search database, and voice-guided navigation capabilities from both Here maps and Bing maps, which for the first time have been integrated together into a single app on the Windows platform.
Also, do not forget the new Outlook Mail app. It now incorporates some of Microsoft Word's editing tools, which now provides more options for users when composing, formatting, and editing email messages.
Microsoft launched the first preview of Windows 10 for smartphones back in February earlier this year. However, at that time, the system was only rolled out to a handful of mobile devices. But this time around, the company has added more handsets to its list. Here is the full list of smartphones that now has support for the new public build:
Those who want to get the new public build, they will have to make sure they are on the fast release ring. This means that they will have to be members of the Windows Insider program. The build is free so they just have to point their handset's browser to the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones page in order to grab the Windows Insider app for their Windows-run smartphones. As for those who are not members, they may have to wait for a while.
Ever since the new year began, Microsoft has been busy with unifying all of its services under one Windows banner. Whether it is computing, mobile, or wearable device, the company is making a visible effort to tie everything up as just Windows 10 (no more Windows Phone).
And the results are beginning to show. It appears that the progress of Windows 10 is coming along nicely. And it seems that consumers are paying more attention to what is going on with Windows right now. Or at least, it is way better than how they treated the release of Windows 8.
