Beta

Apple seeds beta 6 of watchos 3.2 and tvOS 10.2

Apple today seeded sixth betas of what would become the tvOS software update for the fourth-generation Apple TV and the watchOS 3.2 software update for Apple Watch with new features like Theater Mode, support for Siri in watchOS apps and other perks.

tvOS 10.2 beta 6 (build 14W5264a) can be deployed via the Software Update mechanism on any Apple TV with an appropriate configuration profile. watchOS 3.2 beta 6 (build 14V5245a) is available as an over-the-air download via your paired iPhone.

Apple seeds sixth betas of iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4

Apple on Monday seeded the sixth betas of iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4. Registered developers can install the new betas either via over the air update mechanisms, or as standalone downloads from Apple's Developer Center.

Today's releases come less than a week after Apple issued beta 5 of both iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4, indicating Apple may be closing in on remaining bugs and preparing to launch the software publicly in the near future.

WhatsApp to bring back its original text-only status feature

WhatsApp's longstanding text-based status feature was recently supplanted by Snapchat-esque slideshows containing auto-vanishing images, photos, emoji, drawings and other multimedia items. Our tutorial explains how to use this new feature, but it seems many users are unhappy with the overhauled status. If you count yourself in this group, you'll be delighted to learn that Facebook is working on bringing back the original status feature, called About.

Upcoming tweak will bring new features to your AirPods

AirPods

AirPods are a hot commodity among iPhone users these days. In fact, they’re so popular that Apple can’t even keep up with the incredible demand they’re receiving from consumers.

That aside, users will soon have the ability to use their jailbreak to customize the way their AirPods work. iOS developer LaughingQuoll is currently working on a new jailbreak tweak called Siliqua that's specifically designed for using your AirPods in a bevy of new ways.

Apple seeds fifth betas of iOS 10.3, watchOS 3.2 and tvOS 10.2

Following yesterday's release of macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 5, Apple on Wednesday issued fifth betas of iOS 10.3, watchOS 3.2 and tvOS 10.2. Registered developers and members of the Apple Developer Program can install iOS 10.3 beta 5 (build 14E5269a), watchOS 3.2 beta 5 (build 14V5243a) and tvOS 10.2 beta 5 (build 14W5260a) over-the-air through the Software Update mechanism provided their devices have a special configuration profile, available on Apple's portal for developers.

Apple seeds macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 5 to registered developers

Apple on Tuesday seeded a fifth beta of what would become the fourth major update to Sierra. macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 5 (build 16E183b) can be deployed over the air on Macs with a prior beta and an appropriate configuration profile via the Mac App Store's Updates tab. We'll let you know if we find any outward-facing improvements in this beta.

Apple seeds tvOS 10.2 beta 4 to developers

Apple on Tuesday seeded tvOS 10.2 beta 4 (build 14W5252c) to developers. The release comes just over a week after the third beta was released and a month after tvOS 10.1.1 launched to the public. The software can be installed over the air on compatible Apple TVs with the appropriate profile.

According to what we've seen in Apple's release notes for tvOS 10.2, the update improves scrolling behavior so users can sift through longer lists more quickly. The feature is activated with a large swipe on the Siri Remote touchpad, and a far right-side swipe brings up index options.

Apple seeds fourth betas of iOS 10.3, macOS Sierra 10.12.4 and watchOS 3.2 to developers

Apple today seeded fourth betas of iOS 10.3, macOS Sierra 10.12.4 and watchOS 3.2 to members of the Apple Developer Program. iOS 10.3 beta 4 (build number 14E5260b), macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 4 (build number 16E175b) and watchOS 3.2 are now all available as over-the-air downloads through the Software Update mechanism on devices with an appropriate configuration profile. We'll update the article if we find new features or important under-the-hood changes in the new betas.

Beta 3 of iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 released for public beta testing

iOS 10.3 beta 3 with Find My AirPods and other enhancements and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 3 with Night Shift Mode and other perks are both now available for public beta-testing, assuming you've enrolled in Apple's Beta Software Program. After signing up on the web at beta.apple.com, deploy a special configuration profile on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac and you'll be able to install the latest beta over-the-air via Apple's standard Software Update mechanism.

macOS 10.12.4 beta 3 seeded to developers

Aside from watchOS 3.2 beta 3, tvOS 10.2 beta 3 and iOS 10.3 beta 3 with a new name and shame list for legacy apps,  Apple today seeded a third beta of what would become the fourth major update to Sierra since its launch last fall. macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 3 (build 16E163f) with Night Shift Mode and other perks is now available to registered developers.

You can deploy the latest beta over the air on your Mac through the Mac App Store's Updates tab. Today's release is only for developers but a version aimed at public beta testers should drop in the next 24 hours.

New in iOS 10.3: name and shame list for outdated 32-bit apps

Apple today seeded a third beta of iOS 10.3 to members of the Apple Developer Program. It's nothing to write home about in terms of new stuff, with the notable exception of a curious new section suggesting that iOS 11 is likely going to be 64-bit only. The first beta of iOS 10.3 introduced a reworded prompt when launching 32-bit apps.

In iOS 10.3 beta 3, there's now a dedicated section within the Settings app where any outdated apps installed on the user's device are named and shamed.