Microsoft has rolled out Windows 10 Build 10565 to its fast ring Windows Insider users providing them first look at Skype integration, new Cortana features, and a lot of bug fixes.
First and foremost is the Skype integration which enables users to interact with Skype contacts through the Notification Centre, the messaging app and the existing Office 2016 integration which was announced with the productivity suite was released.
You can send a message, place a voice or video call directly from Windows 10 via the Messaging, Phone and Skype video universal Windows apps. Microsoft says that users will be able to place quick calls and send messages quickly over 3G/4G and Wi-Fi tablets and to PCs Wi-Fi. Another feature that is going to prove valuable to users is ability to quickly reply from the Action Centre.
Microsoft has also brought a few new features to its Edge browser. First is the tab previews whereby if you hover over the tabs in the browser, you will get a thumbnail of the content of the tab. Microsoft has also added a ‘new syncing feature’ that enables you to sync your Favorites and Reading list items; however, the feature won’t be polished as Microsoft is still working on it.
Then there is Cortana that has also got quite a lot of attention from Microsoft. The digital assistant has now been integrated with Uber enabling you to quickly book journeys. Further, when asked Cortana will also provide you with details about gigs, events and tickets that you may have booked in the run up to the show. Cortana will also remind you two hours before the scheduled event. Another welcome update is that Cortana now better understands inked notes.
Microsoft has included quite a few bug fixes including fixes for background audio in Groove, context menus that were too big for the mouse, problems with flyouts in Windows Shell, contact pinning in the start menu, duplicate apps showing up when they’re pinned, and Windows Store automatic updates.
Another bit that many users are likely to embrace with open arms is the ability to activate Windows 10 on devices by entering the product key from Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1.
“If you do a clean install of Windows 10 by booting off the media, you can also enter the product key from prior Windows versions on qualifying devices during setup,” notes Microsoft in a blog post.
We would like to remind our readers that this is still in beta and in Fast Ring, so users who don’t mind a few bugs here and there are welcome to install the update and try it out; however, those with systems in a production or live environment should refrain from updating to Windows 10 Build 10565 as it may contain some bugs that could hamper your system.
