Beta

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.

Apple seeds iOS 9.2 beta 4 to developers and public beta testers

Following yesterday's release of OS X El Capitan 10.11.2 beta 4, Apple today posted a fourth beta of the forthcoming iOS 9.2 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

iOS 9.2 beta 4 (build 13C5075) is now available to members of the Apple Developer Program as an over-the-air update or through Apple's portal for developers. The update is also available to public beta testers who are signed on the Apple Beta Software Program.

Apple seeds OS X 10.11.2 beta 4 to developers and public testers

Apple on Tuesday released the fourth beta of OS X El Capitan 10.11.2. The update is labeled build 15C47a, and is available to developers and public testers via the Updates section of the Mac App Store, or through Apple’s beta test site.

Today’s release comes just one week after Apple pushed out beta 3 of OS X 10.11.2, suggesting the firmware is nearing completion, and it has been nearly a month since the last public update to OS X (10.11.1), which added 150 new emoji.

Apple now lets developers invite 2,000 people to beta test apps via TestFlight

Apple today announced on its portal for developers that it is doubling the previous limitation of up to 1,000 beta users in TestFlight to 2,000 external testers who can beta test an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Apple TV app.

In addition, the company is extending beta periods on a per-app basis to sixty days, a twofold increase over the previous beta expiration limit of 30 days.

Apple seeds OS X 10.11.2 beta 3 to developers

In addition to beta 3 of iOS 9.2, Apple also released the third beta of OS X 10.11.2 on Tuesday. The update is labeled build 15c40a, and is available to registered developers via the Updates section of the Mac App Store or through Apple’s Developer Center.

Today's release comes just one week after Apple pushed out beta 2 of OS X 10.11.2 to developers and public testers, suggesting the firmware is nearing completion. It has been 3 weeks since the last public update to OS X (10.11.1), which added 150 new emoji.

Apple posts OS X 10.11.2 beta 2 to public beta testers

Less than 48 hours after seeding its developers with the second OS X 10.11.2 El Capitan beta, Apple today made OS X 10.11.2 beta 2 available to public beta testers.

People who are running a previous El Capitan beta on their Mac can apply the update through the Mac App Store's Purchased tab, or download the standalone installer through Apple's portal for developers. You must be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program to use this pre-release software.