Just yesterday Microsoft released the latest Windows 10 Mobile build on four new handsets (LG Lancet, Lumia 550, 950 and 950 XL). The only requirement was they needed to install the Windows Insider app and opt into the Fast Ring for build distribution.
I was able to very quickly install build 10586.29 on my AT&T branded Lumia 950 and the phone is performing great with the new release.
Today it seems AT&T has caught everyone off guard by apparently releasing this same build of Windows 10 Mobile to all of its Microsoft Lumia 950 handsets which are not enrolled in the Insider program and opted in.
So what does this all mean?
We can begin with this being a very strong indicator that Windows 10 Mobile 10586.29 is the official release version of the mobile OS. I am not aware of any situation where AT&T would knowingly push a test version of a mobile OS to their handsets.
Next it is a good sign that maybe, just maybe, the delays we are so used to in the past between the release of a new OS build from Microsoft and them being shipped to AT&T handsets is a thing of the past.
It was less than 24 hours after Microsoft provisioned the phones for build 10586.29 and we now have AT&T rolling it out to non-Insider handsets.
Of course, this could also be a fluke - so only time will tell.
If the next Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Mobile is rolled out to AT&T handsets at or around the same time it shows up for Insider devices then we have the beginning of a trend.
There are also reports across social media that the Microsoft Store unlocked variations of the Lumia 950 and 950 XL are also starting to see this update without enrollment in the Insider program.
The final stage of this rollout is the public availability of Windows 10 Mobile for all of the Windows Phone 8.1 handsets that are going to be on the authorized upgrade list.
Granted, that list has been very fuzzy up to this point so there are a lot of users out there anxious to see who will officially get the public builds of Windows 10.
If you happen to be one of the users left off that list but currently get Windows 10 Mobile through the Insider program then you should be able to continue doing that.
What do you think? Are we over the carrier hump for updates at this point?
But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.
