Re: Apple Releases IOS 13.3.1 Beta 2 And IPadOS 13.3.1 Beta 2
Bernardine Batchelder
Be sure to read the release notes for the version of software that you plan to install. Release notes provide details on API changes, known issues, fixes, workarounds, and deprecations for recent software releases.
A release candidate (RC) build of software is typically the final beta before a major release of the software to customers. When release candidates of Xcode and operating systems become available, use them to develop, test, and submit your apps to App Store Connect.
Beta versions of Xcode include support for the lastest SDKs for creating apps that run on upcoming releases of an operating system. Once you have Xcode installed, you can download the platforms you would like to develop for directly from Xcode.
AirPods beta firmware for Apple Developer Program members enables development of features on iOS and macOS for AirPods. It also enables debugging of issues by Apple with log collection. This release includes new features like Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness, and improvements to Automatic Switching and call controls.
Safari Technology Preview gives you an early look at upcoming web technologies on Apple platforms. Get the latest layout technologies, visual effects, developer tools, and more, so you can provide input on how they are implemented and deliver best-in-class experiences on Apple devices.
TestFlight makes it easy to invite users to test your apps before releasing your apps on the App Store. You can invite up to 10,000 testers using just their email address or by sharing a public link to gather valuable feedback from users running your app on beta OS software.
Remember: This is beta software. While Apple usually waits to release a public beta until all the major bugs have been worked out in the closed developer phase, bugs like battery drain, springboard crashes, and keyboard weirdness are just about always present in the yearly beta releases. So, download at your own peril. And if you do, be sure to make a backup of your device.
The new lock screen is also directly tied to Focus mode, an enhanced version of Do Not Disturb mode. Any Focus mode can provide its own lock screen with unique widgets, such as home and work profiles.
Lastly, more widgets will be inbound as there are new developer APIs pertaining to the lock screen. Some provided examples included ordering a Starbucks, tracking an Uber, controlling Apple Music, and a fitness tracker.
Accessibility features are also front and center in this new release. Live Text has been greatly expanded to offer better in-picture searching, as well as the ability to translate printed text inside any frame of video. Dictation offers new punctuation and paragraphing when capturing long statements, and Live Captions are now available within FaceTime.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg, more features and enhancements are arriving to Apple News, Game Center, Health, Fitness, and Maps. While many of these features have been introduced in recent years, there are signs of improvements in every corner of the OS.
Live Captioning is now available within FaceTime, providing generated transcriptions rendered live during a conversation. I regularly use the live transcription features found in Zoom and PowerPoint, and having FaceTime as another option is a great addition.
Freeform, a new digital collaborative notes taking app, is not yet available in the developer beta. It is nice that Apple will eventually provide an enhanced way to take notes and collaborate during study sessions.
Another cool feature is automatic mask. To cut out an object from a photo, just tap and drag the object. In this case, I wanted to let my partner know I have fresh coffee on the stove so, I clicked and dragged the Bialetti espresso maker from the stove straight into messages.
The release of iPadOS 16 has been slightly controversial with some features being limited to specific models of iPad. Most notably, Stage Manager and the ability to scale windows of applications are reserved only for iPads sporting a M1 processor, which is limited to the 2021 iPad Pro and 2022 iPad Air. M1 iPads will additionally receive enhanced support for external displays.
Use the professional quality lenses found in many iPhones to improve the visuals of your FaceTime calls and Zoom sessions, complete with lighting effects emulating a key light. An improved Handoff feature allows for the transfer of a FaceTime call from one device to another while in call.
WIth the introduction of Metal 3, better graphics rendering is instore for macOS users. SharePlay allows for remote multiplayer games to be hosted through Game Center, and additional game controllers are supported including driving wheels.
Nevertheless, Focus IS syncing with my other devices anyway. Sharing the Focus settings across my devices is a major inconvenience for me. I am now FORCED to use the silent switch on my iPhone. This means that emergency calls, and Favorites cannot get through to me.
UPDATE: June 7 - Following this report, Apple has updated its Developer website to confirm that signing up for a free Developer Account will grant users access to the Developer Betas of iOS 17 and beyond without paying the $99 fee. However, the betas are also still accessible to those who have not signed up.
Apple has massively screwed up distributing the iOS 17 developer beta, accidentally making it available to everyone following WWDC 2023, iMore can confirm. We have reached out to Apple for confirmation of the blunder, but meanwhile -- don't take advantage.
iMore can confirm that several of our team have been able to access the iOS 17 developer beta without having any sort of developer account or paid subscription, in what could be a monumental blunder for the company.
iMore can confirm that not only is the beta showing but the download and install function works and can be used by anyone. This could be hugely problematic for anyone who stumbles upon the beta by accident. We've seen the beta available on iOS 16.5 in both the U.S. and the UK, but one test device not running iOS 16.5 did not have access to the software. As soon as we updated it, the iOS 17 developer beta showed up.
Apple has previously changed the way beta software works to gatekeep it, ensuring that only users with a subscription can access it with a developer profile. However, it seems that as of right now, anyone with an iPhone running iOS 16.5 can access it. From iOS 16.4's release notes:
Beginning with iOS & iPadOS 16.4 beta, members of the Apple Developer Program will see a new option to enable developer betas directly from Software Update in Settings. This new option will be automatically enabled on devices already enrolled in the program that update to the latest beta release. Your iPhone or iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program in order to see this option in Settings. In future iOS and iPadOS releases, this new setting will be the way to enable developer betas and configuration profiles will no longer grant access.
We've heard that multiple users have been able to download the beta and get it running despite having no developer accounts or subscriptions. Again, we can't stress this enough, please don't upgrade to this developer beta on your main device. If Apple patches this issue after you've downloaded the software, you'll be stuck on the buggy first release of the iOS 17 developer beta until the official release of the public beta next month.
We've reached out to Apple for comment on the situation, and while it is possible that this is intentional, we can't see any reason why the iOS 17 developer beta would be available to download for those not enrolled in the beta program and paying a subscription, especially given the change made with iOS 16.4.
Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.\n\nBefore becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9"}), " -0-7/js/authorBio.js"); } else console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); Stephen WarwickSocial Links NavigationNews EditorStephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9
Apple is officially releasing the first public betas of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 14 Sonoma today, a little over a month after releasing the first developer betas at its Worldwide Developers Conference.
To get the new iOS or macOS betas, first sign up for Apple's public beta software program with your Apple ID. Then, on a compatible device, navigate to the Software Update page in the settings and opt into the beta of your choosing (there's also a separate beta track available for those continuing to test iOS 16 and macOS 13 updates). Per usual, you should make sure you have current backups before you upgrade, and don't install beta software on any devices you rely on daily since the only way to go back to non-beta software is a full reset in recovery mode.
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