Redstone is the codename for the next major update of Windows 10. Microsoft has been developing the update for several months and we know that it’ll be an update that will bring significant changes, including new features, improvements, and a vast number of fixes.
It’s also already known that Redstone will ship in two waves, but up until now every piece of information indicated that both updates would roll out to the public in 2016.
Windows 10 version 1606 — Redstone (RS1)
Now WinBeta reports that Microsoft has changed the release schedule. According to the report, the first Redstone update (RS1) is on track and scheduled to release sometime in June, and the update will focus to bring devices, including PC, Xbox, and phone closer together.
A big part of Redstone will be the Windows Store coming to Xbox One, which will push universal apps to the console. In addition, we’ll see more on Project Centennial to allow easy installation of traditional desktop apps through Store, and Project Islandwood to let developers to port iOS app into the Windows platform. It’s said that Microsoft will concentrate efforts on universal AAA video game titles between PC and Xbox too.
Additionally, the upcoming update will introduce a closer integration across devices. For example, we have recently seen that Cortana is getting updated to let the assistant push system and apps notifications to other devices. The update will also allow users to make phone calls and send SMS text directly from their computers similar to Apple’s OS X.
It’s also expected that Microsoft will use the same naming convention it has used in the first major update released in November 2015, where the company used the year and month to identify the version number — Windows 10 version 1511 –. This could indicate that the first Redstone update could be called “Windows 10 version 1606”.
Windows 10 version 17xx — Redstone (RS2)
Although, previous information indicated that the second update would be released by the end of 2016, if the report turns to be accurate, Microsoft is now pushing back the Redstone (RS2) to Spring 2017.
According to the report, the second Redstone update will include everything that cannot be included in the first update, in addition to new changes, improvements, and features.
Currently, there is no word on exactly which features will be introduced with the second release of Windows 10 Redstone. However, Microsoft’s Build conference is nearing and we’re likely to hear more about the plan during the developer conference.
Overall, the development process of Redstone is aligning to be similar to what we’ve already seen in Threshold 1 (TH1) and Threshold 2 (TH2).
In addition, throughout the development cycle, we’ll see UI and other cosmetic changes. The Start menu will continue to evolve. Microsoft will continue to move Control Panel features to the Settings app, Action Center will give more notifications control to users, and Microsoft Edge will introduce extension support.
Update, March 7, 2016: Mary Jo Foley from ZDNet, sheds a little more light on the rumor by confirming that Microsoft is indeed delaying the second release of Redstone until “early 2017”. According to the new report, the software giant is pushing back Windows 10 “Redstone” 2 to align the release and support the new wave of Microsoft-branded devices.
Source WinBeta
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].