Windows 10 Mobile Build 14267 - Are legacy Lumia's done...

On Feb 19, MS released Windows 10 Mobile build 14267 to Fast Ring Insiders running the Lumia 950/950XL, 650, 550 and the Xiaomi Mi4 and Alcatel Fierce XL

 So first off - this release just blew up my position that MS was not going to support Lumia with the Redstone branch.  So I applaud MS for moving forward with Windows 10 Mobile on Lumia.

 MS also began direct deployments of firmware updates to Lumia 950/950XL via Windows Insider for select countries/carriers. This means that direct hardware updates that impact thing like WiFi, BT or LTE/GSM radios, etc are not having to wait to be pushed by the carriers.  This is also a good sign - but as of today the support for this is not universal.

 While I am glad to see Redstone making it's way to Windows 10 Mobile - I am a little concerned over the dropping of support for legacy devices.  Are we seeing the beginning of the end of support for legacy Lumia ?  

 According to the Windows Blog announcement.  "If you are a Windows Insider on a device not mentioned above, you can stay in the Fast ring and sit tight until we expand to other devices or go back to Build 10586 and switch to the Release Preview Ring to continue helping us test Cumulative Updates."  

 My interpretation of this statement is that MS made a conscious decision to reduce the portfolio of devices for Redstone development with the focus for legacy devices to get Windows 10 Mobile Production upgrade out the door.  To me this also states - legacy folks may be waiting for quite a while to see Redstone.

 This may simply be some resource management on MS's part - but I have to ask - why the departure from previous efforts and why now ?

 With MS originally stating that Windows 10 Mobile Production for legacy devices would release by the end of Feb and with some countries (i.e. Mexico) stating it would release on Feb 29.  

 Personally I don't believe 10586.107 is ready for production and maybe we'll see a Production release this week - but my hope is they get something out the door soon.  

 But if my interpretation is correct - then it may be some time before I can test Redstone on my Lumia 635/735s if at all.  Now it's just a wait and see when MS can bring the legacy Lumia world up to date.   






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