Windows 10 Build 16176 & 15204 - The Split ?

On Thursday 4/14 - MS Released the 2nd PC build of the Windows 10 Redstone 3 branch to PCs - build 16176 and what appears to be a further rev on Mobile 15204 - but not sure we can call it Redstone 3 yet.

 Here is if official post explanation for the build number difference..

 "We are also releasing Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 15204 to Insiders in the Fast ring. As we release new builds from our Development Branch for PC, we will also be doing the same for Windows 10 Mobile just like we have been in the past. However, Windows Insiders will likely notice some minor differences. The biggest difference being that the build number and branch won’t match the builds we will be releasing for PC. This is a result of more work we’re doing to converge code into OneCore – the heart of Windows across PC, tablet, phone, IoT, HoloLens, Xbox and more as we continue to develop new improvements for Windows 10 Mobile and our enterprise customers."

 So depending on how you want to interpret this - it looks though there has been a split between PC and Mobile and kind of reinforces my position from previous posts that Mobile continues to fade to black and won't live beyond Creators.

 First was he announcement that only 13 phones would be officially supported for the Creators branch of Windows 10.  That included the 5 generation series of Lumia phones, HP EliteX3, Alcatel Idol S4, etc.  At first that seemed confusing since my Lumia 735 had been supported throughout Redstone 2 and is currently running 15063 - in theory the Creators Update.

 But with the 15204 release and announcement - now that statement makes sense.  Sort of.  So for example my Lumia recently received the 15063.138 Cumulative update. - so it is effectively in maintenance mode and won't see any new builds or features.   

 For the 13 - they will see some new features - but it will be based on the OneCore from 15063 and not anything new.  So in effect - the 13 are also in a form of maintenance mode.  I expect that to be around feature like Continuum, Hello, etc and not much else.   

 For MS the whole OneCore / UWP strategy around Windows 10 has in my opinion been a failure.  Developers are not flocking to it and in fact the opposite has happened - developers are leaving UWP - because MS has no mobile market share.

 And with MS recently announcing a partnership with Samsung for the MS version of the Galaxy S8, it definitely tells me that MS is done with Windows 10 Mobile as an OS.

 If MS is going to do anything with mobile - it will be based on the new Qualcomm partnership and Windows 10 on ARM.   

 For me personally I will stop posting on Windows 10 Mobile.  I don't have a device that will support anything beyond 15063 and won't purchase one.

 So back to 16176.   The build contains serial port support for the Linux Subsystem along with about a half dozen or so other fixes.

 One little feature of note in the Store app that was a welcomed feature is that the Recent Activity section shows apps just installed at the top of the list - just like every other store update app in the world.   It's only been 2 years - but it's finally there.

 Installation went well across PC, Laptop and Tablet - so no problems there.  I still am forced to remove Cisco AnyConnect from my laptop before a build can be applied - so it's always a little bit of a gamble if it will install correctly afterwards.

 Otherwise there is little to report on 16176 - which is expected at this stage. After the Build conference - we'll see where Redstone 3 is headed.

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