Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 18908 for devices enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. This is the fourteenth preview available for testers as part of the 20H1 development, and it delivers a number of new changes.
Windows 10 build 18908, according to the company, is a minor release that ships with an updated version of the YourPhone app with various new features, and some improvements for the OS.
Windows 10 build 18908
Here are all the features and changes coming to the next version of Windows 10:
YourPhone
Starting with build 18908, Windows 10 introduces a new version of the YourPhone app with various new features:
- Screen reading: TalkBack users can now enable the Your Phone Companion accessibility service on Android to allow Narrator to play from your PC, describing what you select and activate on your phone screen as you interact using your computer keyboard or mouse.
- Focus tracking: You can now interact with your Android phone’s apps at your preferred magnification while in phone screen. Focus tracking will seamlessly follow your keyboard focus and mouse pointer input. (This feature needs our Phone Companion accessibility service and TalkBack to be enabled.)
- Keyboard language and layout: While mirroring the phone on your computer, you can click the new language icon in the top-right to change your keyboard language or layout.
In addition, phone screen mirroring is now available in more devices, including:
- Samsung Galaxy S10e, S10, S10+, S9, S9+, S8, S8+
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Note 8
- Samsung Galaxy A8, A8+
- OnePlus 6, 6T
Also, remember that your computer must have a Bluetooth radio that supports low-energy peripheral role, and your Android phone must be on, within Bluetooth range of the PC, and connected to the same network as the PC.
YourPhone new messaging features
Alongside the new phone support and accessibility changes, the YourPhone app introduces a number of new messaging features:
- Send and receive MMS messages: You can now send and receive images and GIFs, including Giphy, right from the Your Phone app.
- Unread message indicator (badge): Nav pane, a visual indicator on the Messages node, indicating you have unread messages. PC Taskbar, a visual indicator on the Your Phone app icon on your PC taskbar, indicating you have unread messages. And unread conversations, visual indicator within threads that have unread messages.
- Contact images: Your Phone app will now sync contact thumbnails for all your contacts that contain profile images, so you can easily identify who you’re messaging with.
- In-line reply: You can quickly reply to text messages from toast notifications without having to open the Your Phone app.
- Emoji picker: Smileys, people, food, and more. You can easily add emojis to your text messages right from within the app.
YourPhone sync over mobile data
Also, you can now sync your photos, messages, and notifications over mobile data without having to connect your Android phone to the Wi-Fi network enabling the “Sync over mobile data” under the Your Phone Companion app settings.
YourPhone new icons
Microsoft is also introducing a new look for both Your Phone and Your Phone Companion to align with the new modern iconography design we’ve seeing with the Office apps, OneDrive, and others. The Your Phone Companion icon has started to hit phones already, and the Your Phone icon will arrive on computers in the coming days.
Windows 10 improvements
As for the improvements for Windows 10 20H1, build 18908 simply addresses several issues with night light and other display problems when fast startup is enabled. The update also fixes problems some Start menu problems, including All apps were not localized in languages such as FR-FR, RU-RU, and ZH-CN, and Start sometimes not showing a dot indicating updates are available.
In addition, on Windows 10 build 18908, Microsoft is temporarily halting the rollouts of both the Settings header and the new File Explorer search experience while we address issues you’ve reported to us. However, the plan is to get them back online soon.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements, fixes, and known issues for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18908 at the Windows Blog.
Download Windows 10 build 18908
Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 18908, the update is available immediately through the Fast ring. This preview build will download and install automatically on your device, but you can always force the update from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and clicking the Check for updates button.
You can also check out these resources:
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].