Yesterday, Microsoft released Windows 10 for PCs build 15025 to the Fast ring, citing a blocking bug keeping the Mobile build from being released. It would seem that the issue has been fixed, as the company has released it to the Fast ring today.
15025 marks the first new build for phones that the Fast ring has seen since 15014, so it's been two weeks. Because of this, there are a few front-facing features to be aware of. Here's what's new:
Microsoft Edge can now read aloud: Microsoft Edge will now read aloud* your e-books just like on PC! Just press the “read aloud” button at the top-right corner after opening one of your e-books and listen to Microsoft Edge read you the book with focus on the line and the word being read along. This feature is also extended to all non-store EPUB files opened using Microsoft Edge.
*Supported languages: ar-EG, ca-ES, da-DK, de-DE, en-AU, en-CA, en-GB, en-IN, en-US, es-ES, es-MX, fi-FI, fr-CA, fr-FR, it-IT, ja-JP, nb-NO, nl-BE, nl-NL, pt-BR, pt-PT, sv-SE, tr-TR, zh-CN.
Microsoft Edge and emoji: Microsoft Edge will now display full-color, updated emoji by default on websites that use emoji.
Introducing Collections in Feedback Hub: A few months ago, we asked you what was one of your biggest pieces of feedback about the Feedback Hub. You said, “too many duplicate pieces of feedback!”. We love working with you to create a better experience for everyone using the Feedback Hub, so today we are so happy to announce Collections. Collections are now live in Feedback Hub starting with app version 1.1612.10251.0.
A Collection groups together feedback for similar problems and suggestions into single items that bring together all the voices who expressed that sentiment in one place. All of your individual voices will be amplified when your feedback and upvotes are joined together into collections, and you’ll be able to see just how big your voice can become. Same as with individual feedback, you’ll be able to upvote Collections, upload screenshots to show the engineering team a problem you’re seeing or a suggestion you have, and comment on the feedback with others.
Thank you for your feedback, Insiders. Because of you, the Feedback Hub is becoming better for ALL customers.
New mono audio option in Ease of Access settings: Visually impaired users use a screen reader application to read content on their phones and information to them, and frequently use headphones or earbuds to hear their device when in meetings or having conversations with others. When doing so, they generally use only one earbud to hear what’s being said from their device in one ear so the other ear is free to hear conversations and sounds around them. That can cause them to not hear sounds that may be directed to the other earbud. In order to change the sound to be mono mode and so all audio is directed to both ears, they used to need a physical earphone adapter. You can now switch your audio to mono straight from the new Audio section under Settings > Ease of Access > Other options.
As you can see, it's not a lot, and it's mostly features that we've already seen in the two PC builds that we've seen since the last Mobile build. Still, seeing real emojis in Edge will certainly be pleasing for users of the browser, and books being read aloud will be helpful for Microsoft's new endeavor to sell ebooks in the Windows Store.
There weren't any side-notes in the blog post, but remember, the Bug Bash starts tomorrow, so we'll hear more than.
