Beta

Apple seeds tvOS 9.2 beta 1 with support for Bluetooth keyboards and app folders

Apple released a slew of developer betas on Wednesday, including iOS 9.3 and tvOS 9.2. This is the first 9.2 beta for tvOS, the operating system for the just-released, fourth-generation Apple TV.

Developers can find the new tvOS beta, which is labeled build 13Y5179e, either over-the-air on an Apple TV set with the previous beta or as a standalone download via Apple's developer portal here.

Apple seeds OS X 10.11.3 El Capitan beta 2 to developers and public beta testers

Three weeks after releasing the first beta of OS X 10.11 El Capitan's third major software update, and 48 hours after seeding iOS 9.2.1 beta 2 to developers and public beta testers, Apple on Wednesday released a second beta of OS X 10.11.3 El Capitan.

It can be installed on machines running a prior beta through the Mac App Store's Updates tab and downloaded through Apple's portal for members of the Apple Developer Program.

The pre-release software is also available to public beta testers who signed up for Apple's Beta Software Program.

Apple seeds iOS 9.2.1 beta 2 to developers

Less than three weeks after releasing the first beta of iOS 9.2.1, Apple on Monday seeded iOS 9.2.1 beta 2 to its registered developers. The software is also available to public beta testers who are signed on Apple's Beta Software Program,

The new pre-release software has a build number of 13D14 and can be applied over-the-air on iPhones, iPads and iPods running a prior beta via Software Update.

A standalone firmware download is available to members of the Apple Developer Program through the company's official portal for developers.

Ryan Petrich releases Activator 1.9.8 beta 2 with new screen brightness control settings

Ryan Petrich has released the second beta of Activator 1.9.8, bringing a whole host of new changes to the popular jailbreak tweak. In the update you'll find new localizations, new increase and decrease brightness actions, and several new fixes.

You won't find Activator 1.9.8 beta 2 in the stock Cydia repos, but in this post, I'll show you how you can add Ryan's beta repo to take advantage of the latest Activator features.

Apple releases iOS 9.2.1 public beta

Right on the heels of yesterday's launch of the iOS 9.2.1 developer beta, Apple has released iOS 9.2.1 to those registered in its public beta testing program.

If you’re already a registered member of the public beta program, or if you’d like to join, just venture over to Apple’s beta website to get going.

Apple seeds OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 beta 1 to developers

After releasing the first beta of iOS 9.2.1 to developers earlier today, Apple also seeded OS X El Capitan 10.11.3 beta 1 to members of the Apple Developer Program.

The first beta of what would become El Capitan's third major software update since its October 2015 debut carries a build number of 15D9c and is available as a standalone download through Apple's portal for developers or through the Mac App Store's Update tab on Macs enrolled in the beta program.

Seng: even in beta, it’s the best App Switcher tweak for jailbroken iOS 9 devices [video]

If you're looking for an App Switcher replacement for iOS 9, then look no further than Seng, the currently in-beta Auxo-inspired tweak from developer Charlie Hewitt. We first told you about Seng's recent beta a few days ago, but since then, I've been able to go hands-on with the tweak.

What I found was a tweak that worked much like the original version of Seng released back in the summer time. The big difference here is that Seng now plays nice with iOS 9, a feat that's likely harder than it looks given the state of Auxo 3.

Activator 1.9.8 beta 1 released

Ryan Petrich has released a brand new update to Activator on his popular beta repo. The update, which brings Activator to version 1.9.8 beta 1, adds several new features and improvements to the staple jailbreak tweak. The update brings improved scrolling in the tweak's preference panel, a clear app switcher action, and other handy new features.

You can now download Microsoft’s Cortana personal assistant to your iPhone

After rolling out a beta of Cortana for iOS to a limited number of beta testers in late-November, Microsoft today released the software to everyone via the App Store.

A free download, Cortana for iOS helps you get things done “by letting your PC and iPhone work together,” as per the official description. The app takes advantage of your schedule, interests, contacts and reminders to deliver personalized results.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and give Cortana a try right now!

Microsoft rolling out Cortana for iOS to beta testers

Following its announcement earlier in the month that Cortana for iOS would soon launch for a limited number of beta testers, Microsoft has now made good on that promise and started rolling out the beta software, TechCrunch reported this past weekend.

Cortana for iOS looks just like the Windows 10 Mobile and Android equivalents, and works in a very similar way, with a few exceptions stemming from Apple-imposed restrictions on third-party iOS app development.

tvOS 9.1 beta 3 now available to developers

In addition to releasing iOS 9.2 beta 4 to developers and public beta testers, Apple on Wednesday also released a third beta of tvOS 9.1 to developers, its operating system for the fourth-generation Apple TV.

The tvOS 9.1 beta 3 update (build number: 13U5077a) is available over-the-air on the new Apple TV to developers who are on a prior tvOS beta, as well as a standalone download through Apple's portal for developers.