On Monday, Apple unleashed
a slew of new first betas for forthcoming updates to OS X El Capitan, iOS 9, watchOS 2, and tvOS. Even as some of the programs have
ongoing betas being tested, the company has granted registered developers access to OS X El Capitan 10.11.4 even as 10.11.3 is still in beta testing, and iOS 9.3 even as testers continue
working with the upcoming iOS 9.2.1. In addition, the first beta of watchOS 2.2 is out, as well as a first beta of tvOS 9.2 (it is normal for tvOS betas to be one update behind the current iOS in numbering).
Some of the most obvious changes will be apparent to testers of tvOS 9.2, which brings support for app folders to tvOS, similar to the implementation seen on iOS. The App Switcher in tvOS has also received a new look, and Siri has picked up two new regional languages: US Spanish (for the US only) and French Canadian (in Canada only). In addition, users in English-speaking countries can now choose between UK, Australian, and US English in those countries' respective tvOS app storefronts.
Alongside the immediately-obvious changes, the new beta also brings Apple and third-party Bluetooth keyboard support, a much-requested feature despite the ability of users to employ Siri to help them find titles or do searches. Siri for Apple Music on the Apple TV is working, and that support is carried over to the Apple TV remote apps for iOS and the Apple Watch, which has a new Remote app of its own for the first time in this new beta. Finally, the new beta supports MapKit, allowing developers to add Apple Maps to tvOS applications.
In addition, the new beta is likely to include considerable feature tweaks, bug fixes, and improved performance. Early adopters of the fourth-generation Apple TV have often described tvOS as a work in progress, but the 9.2 release, when final, will be the third substantive update for the nascent system since its debut in October. The tvOS beta can only be installed by connecting the fourth-gen Apple TV to a Mac through the use of a USB-C to USB-A connector, and is not available to the public.
iOS 9.3 beta 1
Also released was a first beta for iOS 9.3, suggesting that iOS 9.2.1 -- currently in testing with developers and testers -- is to be released soon. While iOS 9.2.1 was seen as primarily a security and bug-fix type update, iOS 9.3b1 could offer some new features, and readers have already reported that when used together iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2 now allow a single iPhone to pair with more than one Apple Watch. All iPhones and Watches involved must be running the new betas.
In addition, iOS 9.3b1 is the first that allows developers to update the beta over-the-air using a new Configuration Profile, a feature that will eventually be used by enterprises to deploy updates across all eligible managed devices. Siri also now supports Hebrew, and the new OS X beta may do this as well. Like the others, the new release will likely include performance and interface enhancements and bug fixes.
Another new feature found in the beta of iOS 9.3 is a feature Apple refers to as "Night Shift." Similar to the screen program f.lux, the program slowly lowers the amount of blue light emitted by the device as the evening goes later, which is said to aid restful sleep and reduce eye fatigue.
Finally, the iOS 9.3 beta includes major changes for Apple's
educational institution users, including a new Classroom app, a new Apple School Manager portal for administrators, and the ability for a student to enter login information on a shared device, with full access to lesson progression and the user's files on-the-fly and across devices.
OS X El Capitan 10.11.4, watchOS 2.2
Like iOS 9.2.1, the current beta being tested was 10.11.3 which has not yet been released as final, even as the first beta of OS X 10.11.4 is released. The new beta comes just over a month after the public release of OS X 10.11.2. Thus far, there hasn't been any notable new features reported on the OS X beta, other than possible Hebrew support in Siri. Alongside the OS X beta, Apple also released a new Xcode 7.3 beta, as well as a beta for Apple Configurator 2.2.
Apart from the aforementioned tie-in with iOS 9.3b1 to allow pairing with more than one Apple Watch, watchOS 2.2b1 is likely to include refinements and bug fixes for features introduced in watchOS 2.1, which included changes to Power Reserve Mode, new languages, Calendar, and better support for third-party apps. As usual, users must update the Apple Watch's software by going through the Watch iOS app on the iPhone. The Watch must be at least half-charged, be on the Apple Watch charger, and in range of the iPhone for the updating process to work.
A version of iOS 9.3 and OS X 10.11.4 are expected to be made available in the next day or two. Only pre-registered members will be able to download the beta software. As usual,
MacNN strongly advises that betas not be run on production hardware or a tester's only iOS device, only on spare devices.
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