The company wants to sync it with new hardware debut

Mar 7, 2016 17:16 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft’s upcoming Redstone update for Windows 10 will be released in two different waves, the first of which is projected to see daylight later this year.

While it was initially believed that the second wave of the Redstone update would come in late 2016, it appears that the company has pushed back its release in order to synchronize it with the debut of new hardware.

Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley writes that the new target for the Redstone RS2 is now spring 2017 because the company wants its debut to “coincide with a new wave of Windows 10 hardware.”

While this certainly makes sense, it raises some questions regarding Microsoft’s hardware refresh that was expected to hit the shelves in late 2016.

New Surface models in spring 2016?

Microsoft rolled out new Surface tablets, Lumia models, and the second-generation Band in October 2015, during a dedicated hardware event, and the company was expected to unveil the new versions in October or November this year. But it turns out that this plan has since changed, and Microsoft might actually debut them in spring 2017 together with the new Redstone update.

But Microsoft’s plans regarding these product refreshes are still unclear, and new Surface models, the Surface Phone, and a new-generation Band could still hit the market this year, the aforementioned source writes. In the end, however, it makes sense for Microsoft to keep the best products for the grand debut in spring 2017, when the company is planning the unveiling of Redstone RS2.

Of course, there are a lot of uncertain things right now, and do not expect Microsoft to provide confirmation of this, so take everything with a pinch of salt for the moment. What we know for now is that the first Redstone update is expected in mid-2016, as work on the first wave has already started, and insiders are getting access to early preview builds.