14 DAY TRIAL // Work on the Redstone update for Windows 10 continues, and Microsoft is expected to disclose more information later today at the BUILD developer conference, but in the meantime, new details are being revealed through unofficial channels.
A Redstone reference published in Microsoft developer documents tells a little bit more than expect about the first update coming this summer, indicating that the rumored June date for the first wave might actually be pushed to July.
As WinBeta notes, Microsoft mentions Windows 10 version 1607 as an update for Windows 10 devices, including desktop, mobile, HoloLens, and Xbox, so the company is most likely talking about the Redstone update scheduled to launch later this year.
If Microsoft maintains the version number naming scheme from the previous Windows 10 updates, then 1607 could mean that Redstone is set to debut on July 16, as compared to June, as everyone thought originally. In November, Microsoft launched Windows 10 version 1511 (November 15), also known as Threshold 2, so the chances are that "1607" is a direct hint at the arrival date of the new update.
Redstone RS2 coming in spring 2017
The second update part of the Redstone rollout is expected in early 2017, when Microsoft is very likely to introduce some new devices running it. Details are not available at the moment, but people close to the matter previously said that Redstone RS2 would be about bringing features that aren’t ready for the first wave coming this summer.
Furthermore, the spring 2017 Redstone version could refine the overall experience and introduce some new features specifically developed for new devices, as Microsoft is also expected to take the wraps off the Surface Pro 5 and the Surface Book 2 while pushing the button for the new OS update.
Certainly, there are a lot of vague details available at this point, so don’t take anything for granted for the moment as anything could change overnight without Microsoft making any official announcement.