Windows 10 Mobile Rollout, Skype For Web Update: Microsoft Roundup

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After a quiet start to the week, Microsoft ended up rolling out updates on Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Skype for Web, OneDrive, and SharePoint Server.

A new sharing experience for OneDrive.com was announced March 14. The update is intended to simplify the process of collaborating on documents and sharing photos.

The previous option to "share a link" in OneDrive presented several options to customize a link -- and resulted in confusion. A new, simpler design presents the two most popular options, "Get a link" and "Email." The design was tested by 28,000 users and so far has proven successful.

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Communication updates included new features in Skype for Web, which now allows mobile phone and landline calls. Microsoft is also planning to make its Web-based VoIP service more affordable by cutting costs for calls, particularly international ones.

Skype for Web users can save money on overseas calls by using Skype credit or a subscription, and add new people to a chat even if they don't have an account. Microsoft has also updated the service to support YouTube, so users can now watch videos without leaving Skype.

This week Microsoft launched the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version of SharePoint Server 2016. The latest edition brings several new features, including better security and also hybrid cloud search, which lets users surface on-premises and Office 365 content in one result.

The final release of SharePoint Server 2016 will take place May 4. Microsoft will mark the launch with a live virtual event and share the roadmap for SharePoint and OneDrive for Business going forward.

In other Office-related updates, Google has announced it will offer single sign-on for productivity apps, including Office 365, Facebook at Work, Box, Slack, Panorama9, New Relic, Concur, and Coupa through Google for Work.

This week brought a major update for those using Windows Phone 8.1. Microsoft began rolling out Windows 10 Mobile to a limited number of older smartphone models on March 17, delayed from its original projected launch date in December 2015.

The availability of Windows 10 Mobile will vary by device manufacturer, model, country, mobile operator, hardware limitations, and other factors, Microsoft reported.

The company noted that several Windows Phone 8.1 features will not work following the upgrade to Windows 10. Due to hardware incompatibility, some Windows 10 features like Windows Hello and Cortana will not work on some older phones.

Windows Insiders in the Fast ring received Windows 10 preview build 14291 for PCs and mobile devices. This build brings improvements to Edge, including extensions and pinned tabs, an updated Maps app, new design for the Alarms and Clock app, Feedback Hub, and a Japanese one-handed kana touch keyboard.

While the build delivers improvements, there are a few issues worth noting. PC users should be aware of freezing issues on Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book; apps like QQ crashing; and a bug in certain security apps (Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Internet Security, and Kaspersky Total Security Suite) that prevents them from working normally.

Mobile Insiders should note their Microsoft Band 1 or 2 will not sync after updating to preview build 14291. The Gadgets apps will not detect Microsoft Display Dock on phones running the preview build. Insiders will notice a new option under Settings > Update & Security for improving program settings -- but it will crash the Settings app, so it's best to keep using the Windows Insider app for managing settings.