While we’re waiting for the Xbox E3 Briefing at E3 2018 due later this afternoon (1 pm PT), I came across a bit of news I missed last week. As an avid tech user, I’m a huge fan of being able to try out new software in advance of its release, hence my joining the Xbox Insider Program Alpha Ring to test new Xbox One features and provide input before their release. I also have a couple computers enrolled in the Windows 10 Preview program and Skip Ahead ring. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that they would be bringing a similar Alpha – Skip Ahead ring to the Xbox One, allowing users to enroll and experience advanced RS5 (Redstone 5) builds on their consoles.
The “Alpha – Skip Ahead” ring, which will become available to all Alpha members in the coming weeks and later by invitation to Xbox Insiders in other rings, will offer Xbox Insiders early access to advanced builds, specifically those in RS5. These builds will typically be months out from release to GA and will enable Xbox Insiders to view new features, apps and more. By piloting builds well in advance of their release, Xbox Insiders will play an even bigger role in shaping the future of Xbox and will be able to communicate their sentiment and suggested changes to members of the Xbox Feature Team via Quests and Surveys found within the Xbox Insider Hub.
As mentioned above, the program will be available for current Alpha Ring members later this month. Once the option rolls out, interested gamers can opt into the program and start receiving new RS5 features and updates on their consoles. Of course, you can also choose to remain in the RS4 Alpha Ring for a more stable preview experience. New features will be announced on the Xbox Insiders Blog and on the console via the Xbox Preview Announcements tab in the Insider app. Some features may not even be announced at all but just might show up for initial and further testing and preview.
Microsoft also mentioned that you’ll be able to switch between the Alpha – Skip Ahead ring and the Alpha (RS4) ring at your leisure. It’ll be interesting to see how this switching works as on a Windows 10 machine it requires waiting until the next stable build or reinstalling Windows 10.
What do you think about the Xbox Insider Skip Ahead ring coming soon? Will you be enrolling your Xbox One console in it to test out potential new features well in advance of their release? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
[button link=”https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/06/07/xbox-one-update-preview-try-out-even-earlier-builds-with-the-new-alpha-skip-ahead-ring-coming-soon/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Xbox Wire[/button]
