Apple seeds fourth beta of macOS Monterey 12.1 to developers

One of the features that macOS Monterey users are still waiting to get their hands on is SharePlay. And while the wait continues, we’re at least one step closer. Apple is moving ahead with the developer betas of the software that will actually bring it to the masses.

macOS Monterey beta

On Wednesday, December 1, Apple seeded the fourth beta of macOS Monterey 12.1 to developers. As is par for the course, this is meant for testing purposes only. It shouldn’t be installed on a daily driver. It may be semi-late in the testing phase, but there’s still a possibility the prerelease software is a little rough around the edges.

Apple will likely seed a corresponding public beta in the near future. That will be make it possible for public beta testers to try out the desktop software’s impending update before the wide launch at a later date. Registered developers can download and install the latest beta via the over-the-air (OTA) software update mechanism, or download the beta from Apple’s dedicated Developer Center.

As far as what’s new, the primary new addition is SharePlay. With this feature, it will make it possible for macOS Monterey 12.1 users to watch movies, listen to music, and play games with friends and family while using FaceTime. Content is synced across devices, so people watching Ted Lasso together via the Apple TV app can stay together as the story unfolds.

Resource: How to share your screen in FaceTime

SharePlay works with a variety of different first-party apps, including the aforementioned Apple TV app, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. It also works with third-party apps, as long as developers include the necessary API.

No word yet on when macOS Monterey 12.1 will launch to the public. However, it should be sooner rather than later.