14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will hold a Windows 10 press conference for selected journalists and analysts on January 21, and during the same event, the company is also expected not only to talk about its mobile plans with the new operating system but also to release a preview version of Windows 10 for Mobile.
This weekend, the company released a new app called “Phone Insider,” that can be found in the Windows Phone Store and which allows users to register for the testing program of the new smartphone operating system.
Basically, Windows Phone 10 follows the same path as the desktop version of Windows 10, and before hitting the market as a developer preview or as final product, it should see daylight in the form of a preview build publicly available.
The Windows 10 Technical Preview for desktops was launched in early October 2014, and since then, it has already received several updates. The same is likely to happen with the preview of Windows 10 Mobile, which could be launched later this month and updated periodically until the fall 2015 launch.
Free app in the store
The Phone Insider app can be found in the store on any Windows Phone device out there and is available free of charge, which is the first sign that all smartphones will be allowed to deploy the early version of Windows 10 for Mobile when it becomes available.
“This app provides registered users the ability to participate in pre-release phone update programs offered by Microsoft. To configure your device so that it will detect pre-release updates, tap find a program below,” the app states when launched for the first time.
At this point, however, no option inside the app works, and when you attempt to log into a preview program, you’re asked to provide your Microsoft credentials. Microsoft employees might be the only ones allowed to try out Windows 10 Mobile for now, but the door is very likely to open to everyone after the January 21 event.
Windows 10 Mobile is expected to debut in final form later this year together with Windows 10, which, according to sources, should see daylight in late summer or early fall 2015.
